“We’re not machines,” Roger Federer warns against extremely demanding tennis calendars causing early retirements
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Roger Federer - FirstSportz
Roger Federer caused shockwaves around the tennis community, when he announced his retirement a couple of months ago. The Swiss maestro played his last professional match at the Laver Cup, paring up with none other than Rafael Nadal. Although, he is no longer competing on the tour, yet he continues to stand up for the benefit of the players.
Recently, Roger Federer criticized the ever-demanding schedule, which has led to some early retirements in tennis. The Swiss reiterated that tennis players should not be treated like machines. In addition to the physical issues that hamper a player’s career, the mental issues with playing an exorbitant amount of tennis should also not be ignored.
“You’re supposed to show strength. But we’re not machines, we’re human beings. When players retire at a super young age, I totally understand it. We see it from time to time. I always feel it’s such a pity, because there could still be so much going on in the future,” said Federer.
“The tour is tough … the travel, the practice, the jet lag. Nobody is allowed to say, ‘I’m tired today,’ because it looks like you’re weak, and that’s why players sometimes end up with mental problems,” he added.
Roger Federer says recurrent doping tests further stresses the players
Almost all sporting authorities take the issue of doping very seriously. Similarly, the ATP and WTA have very strict rules when it comes to doping tests. The players have their sample collected often to watch out for any irregularities.
Roger Federer stated that this causes added stress to the players, as the risk of a false report always plays on the back of the mind. The Swiss stated that he was able to reflect on these things in a better manner, once he announced his retirement from the sport.
“We have to fill out the doping forms every single day, one hour during the day, where you are. You’re always aware in the back of your head they could be coming any moment, especially in that hour. I don’t think I was that much aware of it, how much that thought is always there, and it rides with you, until you retire and then you realise that stress all drops away,” he added.
It can be said that Roger Federer was correct in his analysis of the situation. In the recent years, the number of events on the ATP and WTA circuits has been increasing considerably. Players who desire a higher ranking have no option but to compete in these events, which eventually takes a mental toll.
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Nirmit Mehta
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