Roger Federer won two Grand Slam titles this season. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

Tennis star Roger Federer withdrew from the Japan Open and Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 on Friday, saying he needed to rest after a grueling Grand Slam season took its toll.

"After consultation with my team and doctors, I decided to take the difficult decision to withdraw from both tournaments," Federer said in a statement.

"This will allow me a chance to give my body a chance to rest, rehabilitate and recover from a physically challenging year."

The Japan Tennis Association said the world No. 1 was withdrawing from the Oct. 5-11 Japan Open and the Shanghai tournament the following week.

Federer reached all four Grand Slam finals this year. He won two, taking the first French Open of his career and followed that up by breaking Pete Sampras's record with his 15th major title at Wimbledon.

After falling in a tough U.S. Open final to Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro two weeks ago, Federer earned two points for Switzerland last weekend during a 3-2 victory over Italy in Davis Cup play.

"I'm disappointed that I have to withdraw from Tokyo and Shanghai as they are two of my favourite cities," Federer said. "The fans have been great to me over the years."

Del Potro and world No. 3 Andy Murray are scheduled to play in Japan.

With files from The Associated Press