Golf:Former champion Seve Ballesteros was the most notable absentee yesterday from a list of 2,425 players who entered for next month's British Open.

The entry includes 102 exempt players. More than 1,600 will take part in regional qualifying at Royal Dublin on July 3rd and at various courses on July 4th.

Local final qualifying takes place on July 9th-10th at four courses, with 96 players at each. Only the top three at each venue will gain places at Carnoustie from July 19th-22th.

Federer takes break after French defeat

Tennis:Roger Federer pulled out of his regular Wimbledon warm-up event in Halle yesterday, blaming fatigue after losing to Rafael Nadal in Sunday's French Open final.

"In an attempt to prevent injury after the long final in Paris, I cannot defend my title at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle," said the Swiss world number one.

"I look forward to returning in 2008."

Federer has won the German grass-court event for the past four years before going on to claim the Wimbledon crown on each occasion.

Organisers said the change in his pre-Wimbledon preparation was down to a problem with his adductor muscles, but an ATP spokesman put the withdrawal down to "general fatigue".

"Of course we really regret it," said co-organiser Ralf Weber. "Roger had played here for the last seven years and he gave everything for the tournament.

"I know Roger took the decision with a heavy heart. He will fly to Zurich, rest a few days and will probably fly straight to London."