Marseille Open director revealed why Roger Federer never returned to the tournament after agreeing to play for ‘free’ in the early 2000s
Marseille Tournament Director gave an explanation regarding Roger Federer's absence from the event since 2003.
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Roger Federer (Source: Wimbledon)
Roger Federer has competed in several tournaments over the course of his career, which stretches across four decades. Despite his long and successful career, the former Swiss tennis player never competed at the Marseille Open post 2003. Tournament director Jean-Francois Caujolle revealed the reason for his absence from the event back in 2018.
Jean-Francois Caujolle revealed that back in 1999, Roger Federer defeated Carlos Moya, who was ranked second in the world. At that time, the Swiss told the director that he would keep coming back for free until he won the tournament, and provided he became the world number one.
Roger Federer eventually won the title in 2003, as he stopped competing at the tournament ever since. “At that moment, he told me that if he became number one he would still come back for free as long as he did not win the tournament. And then he won it!,” said Caujolle.
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“He’s the greatest of all champions,” Jean-Francois Caujolle on Roger Federer
Jean-Francois Caujolle had no harsh feelings about Roger Federer’s absence from the Marseille Open. Instead, he claimed that the 20-time Grand Slam champion was the greatest tennis player in the history of the sport, and applauded him for his achievements.
The director’s comments came shortly after Roger Federer defended his Australian Open title in 2018. He was also crowned the new world number one for his incredible success in the last 12 months.
“Federer is a moment of happiness and good fortune for tennis and even for sport in general. For me, he’s the greatest of all champions. What he has accomplished is out of the ordinary. And he does it all along with aesthetics, longevity but also a carefree attitude and happiness to live in the present moment,” said Caujolle.
Roger Federer announced his retirement last year, with his farewell match being a Doubles encounter alongside Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup. The Swiss international was struggling with several injuries over the last couple of years, and after careful deliberation with his team and family, he decided to retire from the sport.
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Nirmit Mehta
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