Federer Thinks Player Power Is Fine Just Where It Is

Written by: Staff on 9th November 2011

BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis Tournament

Federer Thinks Player Power Is Fine Just Where It Is

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Adrian Mannarino of France during their second round match at the BNP Paribas 2011 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 09 November 2011. EPA/HORACIO VILLALOBOS |

One theory why the proposed talks about proposed player power over the ATP World Tour schedule, made with such gusto at the US Open, have failed to materialize is the disinterest of Roger Federer.

Federer, long time president of the ATP Player Council finally made his thoughts clear as the took time out from the BNP Paribas Masters at Paris’ Palais Omnisports de Bercy and it was clear from the outset that he is no revolutionary leader.

Initially there were even talks of a player strike, first voiced by Andy Murray although the Scot has since back-tracked. But Federer made his standpoint clear when he said: “I think the whole idea of strike is always a very difficult one.

“I’ve been on tour for ten years now and I don’t remember a year going by without these kind of talks. The problems are not so great for us having to do such a thing. Normal common sense can solve so many problems within the sport. It’s absurd talking about something like this at this very moment.”

Since the impetuosity of youth disappeared from his character more than a decade ago, Federer has always been a very calm and measured human being when it comes to addressing issues. Clearly he has spent considerable time weighing up all the evidence and also thinking back on his own experiences.

He recalled: “I tried to strike over Davis Cup once in Switzerland but couldn’t because I had a contract with the Swiss Tennis Federation. It’s a very hard thing to do.

“Until this very day, we’ve never gone on strike or boycotted Davis Cup or from my side, anything. If you want to do that, you have to basically miss what’s most dear to you. So what would that mean to me? Strike Wimbledon? Strike the US Open? That would be something you have to think twice before you’d want to do it.”

Federer feels the current ATP World Tour product is just about as good as it can get. “Just how competitive it is,” he said. “What a great record Novak has had this year. How interesting it’s been. How athletic it is. All those things.

“How many of the tournaments are running record numbers in, how do you say, people attending the tournaments. We had another record last week in Basel; 98 per cent were sold out. We should talk about these kind of things. Definitely not about a boycott.”

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Roger Federer