Roger Federer’s 2007 French Open final loss to Rafael Nadal had the Swiss accused of gambling through his management company IMG
Follow Us
Roger Federer - MAGO / Shutterstock/ Javier Garcia
Former World No. 1 and 20-time major winner Roger Federer remains the biggest icon the sport has seen. With consistent success and dominance for decades, Federer’s on and off-court behaviour made him one of the fan favourites throughout his career.
While the tales of Federer’s glory are quite known, there have been times when the people’s favourite was in the middle of controversies. One such incident took place back in 2010 when a 29-year-old Federer was linked to betting and gambling tennis matches including the 2007 French Open finals.
Former IMG president Teddy Forstmann was at the centre of the case after Los Angeles-based Agate Printing filed a suit alleging Forstmann placed a $40,000 bet on Federer winning against Rafael Nadal in the 2007 French Open finals. Agate also revealed Forstmann placed nearly 600 bets through him making him the middleman.
Roger Federer was forced to come upfront about the links
Federer inked the deal with IMG back in 1998 when he was just a junior. However with no success till 2003, he left the agency only to rejoin them in 2005. During those years, he started his own management company which was managed jointly by his mother Lynette and then-girlfriend and now wife Mirka.
Federer however did not hold back when linked to the gambling of Forstmann and clarified his position as soon as he was dragged in the controversy. With the good boy of tennis brought in the dirt, he ensured that by clarifying his stance, he was no way further dragged back.
“I reached out to him and told him I want to know everything about it, how this came about. And he’s been, you know, nice enough obviously to tell me from his side and has been very open in the press already. So that’s OK,” Federer had said back then speaking with AP.
Forstmann was later found to be in touch with Federer prior to the French Open finals to which he said, “I might have called Roger before the match in 2007. But Roger is a buddy of mine and all I would be doing is wishing him luck. How is that insider information? Now somehow or another, I’m fixing the match.”
Federer had to again come ahead and clear his position saying, “It’s disappointing that someone’s throwing my name around. I would never do such a thing. My fans know that the people who know me … I have nothing to hide. I’m sorry for those who think there is something to the story. But there’s nothing.”
Federer was not found guilty anyhow and rather it became just another testimony to the way the Swiss maestro played and lived the game, focusing solely on his game and ignoring all other things.
Stay Updated!
Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)