Roger Federer will now return to action at Indian Wells next month.

Canada sports betting fans will have a more open field to choose from in the ATP Dubai Championships after world number one Roger Federer pulled out through injury.

The Swiss player has not been in action since beating Andy Murray in the final of the Australian Open earlier this year and will now make his return at Indian Wells next month.

Federer, who now has 16 grand slam title wins, more than any other male player in the history of the game, said he could not take part in the Dubai tournament as it was "too risky".

"It's 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," he explained.

Murray is now the favourite to win the Dubai title, with Nikolay Davydenko and Novak Djokovic also expected to reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Those three men are the only ones of the game's current top seven to be competing in Dubai as injury ravages the top players early in the season.

Rafael Nadal is having more problems with his knees, while Andy Roddick and Juan Martin del Potro are both also missing with arm injuries.

The tournament gets underway today (February 22nd) with the final taking place on February 28th.