Roger Federer is a targeting a return to action at the Italian Open.

Story highlights

Swiss suffers problem in practice

He aims to return at Italian Open

Has played in only three tournaments all year

Serena Williams also ruled out

CNN  — 

He’s played in only three tournaments all year, and now aching Roger Federer has withdrawn from yet another one.

The 34-year-old said Monday he was pulling out of the Madrid Masters after suffering a back problem in practice.

The world No. 3 – who had knee surgery in February – has withdrawn from several ATP Tour tournaments in 2016, featuring in just the Australian Open and events in Brisbane and Monte Carlo.

He told a news conference he would now focus on ensuring he was ready for the Italian Open in Rome, which begins on May 8 and is one of the clay-court events ahead of the French Open.

“I arrived and I was okay, and then I practiced on Saturday and hurt my back a little bit in practice,” 17-time grand slam winner Federer explained.

“Then I was scheduled to practice yesterday and today, but I just don’t feel like I can practice.”

Federer, who had been due to play either Nicolas Mahut or Joao Sousa on Wednesday, added: “I don’t want to take more chances, as I know I’m not going to be fully ready (for that match).

“I would rather play it safe and rest now and get ready for Rome.”

The Swiss, who won the event in 2012, said he was “frustrated” and “a little bit sad not to be playing here.”

His withdrawal from the event comes after Serena Williams also pulled out, missing her third tournament of the year.

Williams, a 21-time grand slam champion, said she was suffering from the flu and would not be “at 100%.”

Read: Rafael Nadal wants his drug tests made public

Read: Maria Sharapova – Is tennis star’s brand damaged?

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Published 11:54 AM EDT, Mon May 2, 2016
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SEVILLE, SPAIN - DECEMBER 04: (L-R) Marcel Granollers, Fernando Verdasco, Feliciano Lopez, King Juan Carlos of Spain, team captain Albert Costa, Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer pose with the Davis Cup trophy during the third and last day of the final Davis Cup match between Spain and Argentina on December 4, 2011 in Seville, Spain.  (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
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