DUBAI,  (Reuters) – Roger Federer has been forced to  withdraw from the Dubai tennis championships starting on Monday  because of a lung infection, the 16-time grand slam winner said  yesterday.

“I can’t play, it’s too risky,” Federer told reporters. “(It  is) a lung infection. It’s the first time I’ve had it. The  breathing was difficult. I’m still very tired and a bit slow  with everything.”

The Swiss aims to return to competition at the World Tour  Masters tournament in Indian Wells starting on March 11, but  said he would not take any chances after a bout of glandular  fever disrupted his preparations for the 2008 season. That year Federer lost his number one ranking to Spain’s  Rafael Nadal, reclaiming top spot in July 2009 after winning his  sixth Wimbledon title.

“Indian Wells, I hope to be back. Right now, there’s no  guarantee. I will do tests and see what the doctors say.”

The 28-year-old’s absence offers Britain’s Andy Murray an  easier path to the Dubai final, with the duo originally due to  meet at the semi-final stage. Murray will take on Russian qualifier Igor Kunitsyn in  today’s first round as the world number four looks to bounce  back after being runner-up at January’s Australian Open, his  second grand slam final defeat to Federer.

“The Australian Open was great, the whole trip went really  well — I lost to the greatest player of all time in the final  and had a few chances,” Murray told Reuters on Sunday.

“There are definitely things I can improve on, but I think  it was a positive tournament.”

Following the withdrawal of Federer and 2008 Dubai winner  Andy Roddick, Murray’s main threat will come from defending  champion Novak Djokovic.

“I still need to achieve defending a title, I haven’t done  it yet in my career,” the 22-year-old Serbian told reporters.  “Even without him (Federer), it will be a great tournament.”