Sergiy Stakhovsky reveals how Roger Federer’s presence helped increasing prize money on the Tour


Sergiy Stakhovsky reveals how Roger Federer’s presence helped increasing prize money on the Tour

Sergiy Stakhovsky and Roger Federer (Image Credit: Eurosport)

Tennis icon Roger Federer always showed his class and ability on the court and has always been the one to help other aspiring players on the tour.

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The former Ukrainian player Sergiy Stakhovsky has reminisced about a funny incident when Roger Federer stood up for players getting a greater share in the prize money. The Swiss Legend negotiated with the ATP so that all players can earn more when he was part of the ATP Player Council.

In an interview given for Simon Cambers and Simon Graf’s new book The Roger Federer Effect, he explained how the 20-time Grand Slam champion made the ATP agree with the players’ demands.

I remember Roger calling us and saying we’d got the big [rise], then later on we understood why we got it. He got the deal because he said, ‘we can either do the deal now, or you can go and talk to Gilles Simon and Sergiy Stakhovsky’. It was kind of funny,” he said.

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The Ukrainian also explained the necessity of including Roger Federer at the negotiating table.

It was extremely good to have him because it’s one thing having a Sergiy Stakhovsky or a Gilles Simon on the Council, and another when you have Roger Federer. It makes a lot of difference when he is negotiating or he is making a case. He was essential in terms of the prize money increases. We were going through this topic for a number of years, we had a pretty harsh time and we had a very good, solid background of the players who were willing to do something about it,” he added further.

Sergiy Stakhovsky retired this year after playing his last match against J.J. Wolf of the USA to qualify for the 2022 Australian Open. He lost this match 3-6, 4-6. He soon announced his retirement putting curtains on his 19-year-old career.

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What is Roger Federer up to after retirement?

Roger Federer
Roger Federer

Roger Federer hung up his boots after playing for 24 years. He won 20 Grand Slam titles and earned the beloved sobriquet of ‘GOAT’.  He dominated the tennis world for the greater part of the 21st century.

He retired after playing his last match at the 2022 Laver Cup in London for Team Europe where he partnered with old rival Rafael Nadal for doubles match against the all-American pair of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe of Team World. He was given a warm and heartwarming farewell.

After retirement, the Swiss Legend is busy attending exhibition events. This month, He went to Rimowa’s Art Exhibition in Berlin. He was later seen at the exhibition event in Tokyo organized by his apparel sponsor UNIQLO. He visited the hallowed courts of Wimbledon last week.

Also Read: ‘Ranking points do not matter to players while playing for their country’ – ITF president David Haggerty on the possibility of points being awarded for Davis Cup

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