The tournament director of the Paris Masters has accused Roger Federer of ‘weakening the credibility of the circuit’ after pulling out of this week’s Masters 1000 event.
Guy Forget was notified on Sunday that the 19-time grand slam champion wouldn’t be playing just hours after winning the Basel Open. Federer clinched his 95th ATP title with a three-set win over Juan Martin del Potro. As a result of his withdrawal, Rafael Nadal is required to win one match this week to secure the year-end No.1 ranking.
Federer’s decision has prompted an angry response from Forget, who claimed he spent ‘many months’ getting both Federer and Nadal to compete in the event. Is is the second time this season that the Swiss player has missed a major event in Paris after the French Open.
“You imagine my disappointment, my frustration (at Federer’s withdrawal). I had his agent (Tony Godsick) on the phone who told me of his wish to recover because he is at the end of the roll. We take note of it.” Forget told L’equipe.
“We have no other recourse against that. We are sad about all the efforts that have been made for many weeks and many months to welcome Roger and Rafa into this room.
“Unfortunately, Rafa will be alone. There are other great champions, but I am convinced that Roger’s Parisian fans will be very disappointed.”
Forget, who was a former top-five player himself during the early 1990s, went on to accuse Federer of being selfish. Questioning his scheduling and his priorities. Last week Federer became the first player to win the Basel Open for a eighth time. He has an extensive history at the event, which is held in his birthplace.
“At 36, we pay more attention than when we have 25. Nevertheless, I still think that the Masters 1000 are the nine biggest tournaments of the calendar.” Forget argued.
“When a player, whoever he is, misses this appointment, it weakens the credibility of the circuit. I greet all those who make the effort. So some are a little diminished.
“Rafael Nadal is here. Others made the effort. Some have had surgery, you can not get them out of their hospital bed.
“When a player wins a tournament 500 kilometers away and is not there the next week, we are bound to be sad.”
My body needs a rest
Throughout 2017, Federer has only played back-to-back tournaments twice. During the American Masters swing (Indian Wells and Miami) and on the grass (Stuttgart followed by Halle). He has opted to sidestep Paris to focus on the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals in London at the O2 Arena.
During a press conference in Basel, the 36-year-old said he doesn’t want to push himself too hard on the tour and risk injury. Last year Federer missed six months of action due to a knee injury.
“I was always going to wait and see how I felt throughout the week.” Federer explained about skipping Paris.
“My body is again asking for a break. I can feel it. It doesn’t look like it on a tennis court, I know. People always think it is easy and simple to run through tournaments, but it really isn’t.”
Federer currently has a win-loss record of 49-4 this season with seven titles under his belt. The most he has won within the same year since 2007.