Federer Is Being Recruited For Permanent Davis Cup Duty

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 16th April 2013

Federer Is Being Recruited For Permanent Davis Cup Duty

epa03625004 Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Rafael Nadal of Spain during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 14 March 2013. EPA/PAUL BUCK |

Roger Federer is keeping his own counsel as usual on any Davis Cup plans as Switzerland tries to return to the World Group with a September promotion tie at home against Ecuador. While facing the tennis minnows might even preclude the need for world No. 3 on court, nothing can be assumed – from either the champion Swiss or the twists and turns of the Davis Cup.

But Federer’s habit of often riding to the rescue for September playoffs to keep his nation in the elite grouping for at least one more season may have run its course.

Now Federer’s good friend and fellow Basel-born player Marco Chiudinelli has put out the call for his childhood mate to rejoin the squad on a more permanent basis. “Obviously everyone on the team, including myself, is disappointed that he does not help us more often in these early rounds,” the No.138 told ESPN.

“He played last year, but just because he plays, doesn’t mean we will win every time. We’ve lost ties with him in the team. We lost against Czech Republic in 2007 with Roger. We lost last year against the United States, at home, with Roger. It’s not a guarantee of success with [Roger]. But obviously we have more chances if he’s with us.”

Chiudinelli, however, does not begrudge his world-class friend with looking out for the best career ever seen in the sport. “I always regret that he is not playing more. Everyone on the team regrets it. But there is nothing we can do about it….[But] he’s always honest about his decisions. We know a few months in advance. There has never been much room for discussion.”

Federer is currently recharging and training at home, with his return set in early May for a title defense at the Madrid Masters.