Federer Thinks There Is Less Testing This Year

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 8th November 2013

Federer Thinks There Is Less Testing This Year

epa03941194 Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Serbia's Novak Djokovic during a singles Barclays ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 05 November 2013. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Roger Federer isn’t about to hop on the ‘Viktor Troicki is unfortunate’ bandwagon and instead of sympathizing with the Serb for being banned from tennis for a year after a misunderstanding over the taking of a drugs test, maintains rules are there for a reason and tennis needs to be even more vigilant on anti-doping matters.

In fact Federer, long-time chairman of the ATP World Tour’s Players Council, maintained said the sport needs to do more drug tests to deter cheating and believes things have become too lax in recent years.

“We’re not getting maybe tested enough,” said Federer after beating Richard Gasquet in his second group match at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. “I think I was tested 25 times between 2003 and2004. It’s been clearly going down this season.”

Federer was specific as he thought back over his recent tournaments and continued: “I didn’t get tested in Basel. I didn’t get tested in Paris, I don’t think. I got tested here (in London) after the first match. I just feel like there needs to be more testing done. I know the budgets can be small sometimes.

A day earlier Troicki’s compatriot Novak Djokovic attacked the current World Anti-Doping Agency code but Federer countered: “Overall I trust the system. I think they’re all very professional. I just think it’s very important that they treat us like normal human beings, not criminals.”

And Federer clearly had no sympathy for Troicki’s plea that he was prepared to take the disputed test in Monte Carlo a day later. “I do believe that when you are requested for a sample, you have to give the sample,” he said.

And with regards to Troicki’s claim that he was feeling unwell, Federer countered: “It doesn’t matter how bad you feel. I’m sorry. The test the next day for me is not a test anymore because what could have happened overnight.

“I think it’s just very important to give the sample when you’re requested to give it because there you are in front of them (the Doping Control Officers) and there is no way to escape anymore. That’s where we just need to be extremely firm, I believe.”

World no.4 Andy Murray clearly also subscribes to the harder line of thinking. The absent Scot tweeted: “tweeted: “Read and respect the rules and everything is very simple.”

Federer agreed there were grey areas and perhaps the Doping Control Officers could act in a more positive manner. “Sometimes they’re a little hesitant because you just lost a match and you look extremely angry, so they don’t dare to talk to you,” he insisted. “They should probably just introduce themselves and say what is going on.”

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Novak Djokovic, Richard Gasquet, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Viktor Troicki