LONDON - In a potential blow to Switzerlands Davis Cup ambitions, Roger Federer pulled out of the ATP Finals less than one hour before his title match against Novak Djokovic on Sunday, handing a third straight title at the year-end event to the top-ranked Serb.The 17-time Grand Slam champion said he hurt his back in the nearly three-hour semifinal win over Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka on Saturday night in which Federer saved four match points.Unfortunately Im not match fit, the 33-year-old Swiss told the crowd at the O2 Arena. I tried everything I could last night, also today: painkillers, treatment, rest, so forth, warm-up, until the very end. But I just cant compete at this level with Novak. It would be too risky at my age to do this right now and I hope you understand.Fans appeared to be supportive with applause for Federer when he spoke.The Swiss is set to play for Switzerland in the Davis Cup final against France, starting Friday. If he recovers in time, Federer will be chasing the only major trophy still eluding him. France hosts the match in the northern city of Lille and has opted for clay, a slow surface that could further thwart Federers chances to perform well.I dont think he was calculating and trying to save his body for Davis Cup final, said Djokovic. This is probably the biggest match of the season next to the final of a Grand Slam. I spoke to him, its a question mark for the Davis Cup final as well.It was only the third time in Federers career that he withdrew, each time due to a back injury, following walkovers in 2008 at the Paris Masters and in 2012 in Doha.Following back problems that ruined his 2013 season, Federer enjoyed a superb resurgence this season, losing to Djokovic in an epic Wimbledon final and adding five new titles to his collection.Federer, the most successful player at the ATP Finals with six wins, also made it to the semifinals at the Australian Open and the U.S. Open and won his 23rd Masters title in Shanghai last month. He remained on course for the year-end No. 1 spot until this week and had dropped just one set on the way to the final.I think you have some recurrent things coming back from time to time, the second-ranked Federer said. Its not that much of a surprise. I must say Ive been feeling really good for over a year now, which has been not a surprise, but its been very nice. So this back spasm, whatever it might be, its just not a fun thing to have during the day. Its just uncomfortable. But Im positive and Im hopeful that its going to go away very soon.Djokovic became the first player since Ivan Lendl from 1985-87 to win the year-end event three times in a row but was not in the mood for celebrations.You never like to win, especially these big matches against big rivals, with the retirement, said the four-time champion.Unbeaten on indoor courts in more than two years, Djokovic finished the season No. 1 for the third time in four years, becoming the seventh man to accomplish the feat at least three times. Besides winning his seventh Grand Slam title at the All England Club, Djokovic was also runner-up at the French Open, and won six titles.Right now Im at the pinnacle of my career, he said, adding that winning at Roland Garros would be one his main goals in future years. I physically feel very fit. As long as it is like that, Im going to use these years in front of me to fight for No. 1 of the world and the biggest titles in the sport.Instead of facing Federer, Djokovic played an exhibition with Andy Murray before a doubles match pitting Murray and John McEnroe against Tim Henman and Pat Cash.Federers withdrawal marked the first walkover in a final in the tournaments 45-year history. Wholesale Nike Air Max 2018 . Gaborik was acquired in a trade with Columbus on Wednesday and skated on the top line with centre Anze Kopitar and right-winger Justin Williams. "We created some things," said Gaborik, who logged 16:38 of ice time. Nike Air Max 2018 . The Brewers finalized a US$36 million, three-year contract with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Wednesday, adding a much-needed bat to their lineup. http://www.cheapairmaxshoessale.com/. Argentina, who have yet to beat New Zealand in 17 meetings, rocked the All Blacks with an early converted try to backrower Juan Manuel Leguizamon and led 7-0 after five minutes. But Smiths double in the 23rd and 26th minutes - when Argentina was reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of hooker Eusebio Guinazu - turned the tide of the match and set up New Zealands third straight Championship win. Cheap Nike Air Max 2018 . The union filed a grievance late Thursday, one day after Goodell suspended four players who participated in bounties from 2009-11. The complaint says Goodell is prohibited from punishing players for any aspect of the case occurring before the new collective bargaining agreement was signed last August. Womens Nike Air Max 2018 . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value.TORONTO - Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel often appears shy, quiet, reserved — at times almost uncomfortable when talking in a media scrum.He admits his answers arent that great. Hes not sure why reporters want to speak to him every day. And he certainly didnt appear to be in the mood for comment after Toronto was shelled by the lowly Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.However, there was no avoiding the phalanx of cameramen and scribes parked near his dressing room stall at Air Canada Centre after Mondays practice. The issue of his availability was the topic du jour after a beat reporter sent out a tweet Saturday saying that Kessel declined to talk after the 6-2 loss and angrily stormed off.As he approached the large scrum Monday, Kessel joked about what the line of questioning might be. He then put on a blue hat, smiled and took questions for about five minutes.You know I dont speak all the time, he said. You guys know that. Obviously you dont want to lose like that to anyone in this league. Weve lost two in a row. It was a tough game.Jonas Siegel, a Leafs beat reporter for TSN Radio and TSN.ca, sent out a second tweet from his verified account describing his interaction with the Toronto forward.Kessels exact reaction when asked for comment: Get away from me, Siegel tweeted.Kessel told reporters Monday that he doesnt think there is a need for daily comment.I think Ive talked a decent amount, he said. Ill come out sometimes to talk, but sometimes I dont. But I dont have too much to say about losses like that.NHL players are generally expected to make themselves available for media interviews and requests are usually accommodated.dddddddddddd Head coach Randy Carlyle made it clear what the teams expectations are on the issue.Its the players responsibility and its our organizations responsibility to make sure everybody is available to the media, Carlyle said. Its spelled out in training camp, its spelled out on a day-to-day basis that when youre called upon, youre to be made available, simple as that. Thats what we support.Leafs forward Nazem Kadri said Kessel is quite talkative on the ice and is much different when engaging with teammates.Hes pretty laid back and easy going, Kadri said. Hes an easy guy to talk to, a really nice guy. When hes put on the spot, I think he just shies away a little bit. I think hes starting to get the hang of it.He likes guys he can trust and when he doesnt feel like he can trust anybody, he gets a little bit shy and a little bit timid in that regard. Its really nothing personal.The media can be more demanding in Toronto than some other cities given that its a large, hockey-mad market with four daily newspapers and two all-sports radio stations. Big-name players are often asked for comment even though they sometimes weigh in with stock answers or cliches.Kessel, whos off to a great start with 22 points in 18 games, said he doesnt read the media reports, but added he loves the team, fans, organization and the city.I dont say a whole lot, he said. But I try to leave it on the ice.———Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter. ' ' '