New Zealand Is Pitching Federer To Play There In January

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 29th July 2013

New Zealand Is Pitching Federer To Play There In January

epa03794494 Switzerland's Roger Federer serves during the semifinal match against Argentina's Delbonis at the 2013 International German Open at Am Rothenbaum in Hamburg, Germany, 20 July 2013. EPA/AXEL HEIMKEN |

With Roger Federer’s 2014 schedule a work in progress and with the Swiss taking the decision to compete next January in Brisbane for the first time, it now seems that neighboring New Zealand is saying “me too” in hopes of somehow luring the tennis icon into the field at the Auckland event.

Even organizers admit they are facing extremely long odds, with Federer’s past history suggesting that he would not be keen to play an ATP tournament the week prior to a grand slam event.

The Australian Open, which he has won four times, begins two days after the Auckland final. Federer has been chopping and changing his schedule as he works to improve upon a ranking which has fallen to fifth after his second-round Wimbledon exit a year after winning his seventh title there.

With 2013 looking something like a bust by his high standards, there are many who suggest that the record-holding 17-time grand slam event champion is concentrating on a full-blown return to form in 2014.

That’s where Auckland would like to join Brisbane in helping to make it happen. Heineken Open tournament director Karl Budge told local media that his organization has had discussions with the Federer camp and remain hopefully that a possible deal could be done.

Attracting Federer to an ATP 250 event would cost a bundle in appearance fees, possibly as much as the event’s modest total purse of less than $500,000. Local officials are hoping for the best, and are anticipating knowing more by the time of the US Open in September.