BERN, Switzerland, Nov 7 (Reuters) Roger Federer has decided not to take part in the opening round of next season's Davis Cup, ending hopes of a February meeting between the world number one and his nearest rival Rafael Nadal.

Federer's Switzerland and Nadal's Spain have been drawn against each other in a tie to be played on February 9-11.

The Swiss tennis association announced today however that Federer would not be playing.

''The reasons are the same as for the last two seasons,'' Swiss tennis spokesman Daniel Monnin told Reuters. ''He wants to concentrate on retaining his number one status and on defending his titles at important tournaments, including the Grand Slams.

''He also told us that winning the Davis Cup was too big a goal for him in the long term to treat it as a sideshow right now.'' In a statement on its Web site, the Swiss tennis association said it regretted Federer's decision but understood his reasons.

Between 2002 and 2004, Federer helped to steer Switzerland to two Davis Cup quarter-finals and one semi-final.

Since becoming world number one, he has twice skipped the competition's opening round in February, returning in September to help Switzerland avoid relegation from the World Group.

REUTERS PDS BS1915