Federer Sees Lack of Youth Movement In the Men’s Game

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 14th October 2013

Federer Sees Lack of Youth Movement In the Men’s Game

epa03554931 Roger Federer of Switzerland speaks during a press conference after losing his men's singles semi final match against Andy Murray of Britain at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2013. EPA/MARK DADSWELL AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

As he heads back to Europe after third-round disappointment at the Shanghai Masters, Roger Federer says he’s surprised at the lack of a true youth movement in the current men’s game. The senior member of the triumvirate which has dominated the ATP over various periods during the past decade – Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are also included – can’t see much in the way of teenaged talent on the men’s side.

“There’s hardly any teenagers anywhere, I don’t think there was one in the top 300. It is taking teenagers longer to make a breakthrough, make it into the top 100, top 50, top 10 and so forth.”

The 32-year-old contrasted the current situation with the past, when youngsters had many more winning chances, highlighted by a French Open title more than two decades ago form 17-year-old Michael Chang. “It used to be completely different 10, 20 or 30 years ago. It (moving up in the game) seemed much faster.

“I don’t know what happened to the game. Maybe tennis has become more physical and more mental. At the moment I think all countries are fighting to have that teenager break through and break that mould again and reach high rankings early.”

The youngest current players with the best future hopes comprise the early 20s group of No. 11 Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori and possibly Grigor Dimitrov and Bernard Tomic once they get their careers back on track.

“Overall for the game, I think it would be fun to have young, up and coming stars around,” said Federer, who teamed with a young Chinese outsider in Shanghai doubles, winning a round before going out only an hour or so after he lost in singles to Gael Monfils.

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Bernard Tomic, French Open, Gael Monfils, Grigor Dimotrov, Kei Nishikori, Michael Chang, milos raonic, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Shanghai Masters, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News