“Fans Might Not Like It” – Roger Federer Hits Back

Published 12/04/2019, 12:56 PM EST

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Over the past few years, World Number three, Roger Federer has reduced the number of tournaments from his tennis calendar and limits himself from playing more matches. Considering his age factor, he has increased his number of breaks in his schedule. However, sometimes missing a few tournaments for his personal wellness disappoints his fanbase in that city and as well as the tournament officials.

“Tournaments might not like it,” Roger Federer emphasized on missing tournaments in the middle of the season. “Fans might not like it. But at the end of the day, I think everybody understands that also we have to take care of ourselves if we want to achieve longevity on the tour.”

It’s impossible for any professional tennis player to train and play 52 weeks a year, and by taking appropriate breaks in the middle of the season ensures longevity on the professional tour of a sport which is physically taxing. 

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“I take breaks during the year. It’s the only way. I can’t play every week. I can’t train every week. You need some vacation. You need some good training. You need enough matches so you get the flow going of the season,” Roger Federer said.

Over the past three years, Roger Federer has been commencing his tennis season at the Australian Open and concludes his season at ATP World Tour Finals. In between, he intelligently picks up tournaments from the ATP calendar and avoids over-stressing himself physically as well as mentally.

“You’ve got to listen to the signs of your body. It’s as simple as that, really. Sometimes you’ve got to play through the pain, because in some ways, as much as we have to play, at the same time we can also take off whenever we want. We can stop the season at any given time,” he continued.

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In 2016, he played just two clay-court tournaments and later withdrew from Roland Garros 2016. In the following years, he skipped two full clay seasons, opted for the non-clay tournaments and consequently came up with flourishing results which involved three Grand Slam titles and his resurgence on the ATP’s summit.

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“For me, it’s actually been easier later on in the season nowadays than it has been at the beginning of my career where you just go all out all the time. Then towards the end, you’re sort of running out of steam and you just can’t wait to go on the beach, you know. I don’t feel that way because I take enough breaks throughout the season,” Federer mentioned.

Just contemplating his 2019 calendar, after the Australian Open Roger Federer won in Dubai and later gave his 100 percent during the American Swing. Later, after a prolonged break from the clay courts he showed up in Madrid, Rome, and Paris.

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He swung his racquets throughout the grass season and then taking a break for three weeks, Federer flew to Cincinnati. After winning Basel Open for the tenth time, Federer withdrew from Rolex Paris Masters and opted to prepare for the ATP Finals in London. This year, he extended his tour by playing exhibition matches in Latin America. 

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Mahalakshmi Murali

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Mahalakshmi Murali joined EssentiallySports in 2018 as a tennis author and has gone on to pen more than 1800 engaging articles, probing into various aspects of the sport and its illustrious players. With her expertise on the sport, Mahalakshmi has interviewed stalwarts from the sport such as Serena WIlliams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Kevin Anderson’s physio, Carlos Costa. Equipped with her vast experience and a keen understanding of the sport, Mahalakshmi now co-heads the tennis department.
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