Roger Federer-“Our Pension is Very Small”

Roger Federer has always voiced his opinion for the increment in the players’ prize money pool. However, he has made it clear that it is not about the winners’ prize money but the other rounds that do not provide as much. “The players make 8% (of the total revenue)”, said Roger Federer. “It’s not like we’re saying £2m for the winner isn’t enough”, he continued. “We’re arguing that the first-round qualifier only makes maybe a few thousand. We’re talking about making sure that, at the lower level, more people can survive”, he added.

Roger Federer also spoke about the lack of enough pension funds in the sport of tennis. The Swiss Maestro said that he was genuinely concerned about the players on the tour who dedicate their lives to the sport and get nothing in return. “I’d also like slams to take part in the player pension fund”, said Roger. “Our pension on the ATP level is very small and a lot of players will rely on it in the future. Maybe not me so much, clearly, but I’d like to fight for that and leave a legacy. I think a lot of the top guys feel that”, said Federer.

Federer, who is currently participating at the ATP world tour finals in London, will face Dominc Thiem in his next match, after his loss against Kei Nishikori in his first. The Swiss never looked to get going, although he did up his level in the second set. “I felt we both struggled throughout the first set,” said Roger. “I had my chances maybe a bit more than he did. Then I started to feel better in the second set. I think we both did”,he continued.

“The level went up. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep the lead that I got early”,he continued. “That was important, I think, at the end. That was the key of the match, that sort of, I guess , ten-minute swing at the end of the first throughout maybe 1-1 in the second.”