WIMBLEDON: Roger Federer has come out in favor of allowing young players to play more matches on the tour in the wake of Cory Gauff’s success at Wimbledon.
15-year-old Gauff is through to the third round of the grand slam after coming through the qualifying rounds. Becoming the youngest player in history to do so. Wimbledon is only her third event this year on the WTA Tour. Under the Age Eligibility Rule Gauff is allowed to play a maximum of 10 tournaments between her 15th and 16th birthdays. Plus the two year-end tournaments if she qualifies and the Fed Cup.
“I understand the rule completely that they want the young players not to play too much. I’ve told the WTA they should loosen up the rules.” Federer said following his second round win at Wimbledon.
“I loved seeing (Martina) Hingis doing what she did at a young age.’
“I think it would be nice if they could play more.”
The policy is in force to prevent early burn-out. It was better known as the Jennifer Capriati rule in connection with her adjustment to a surge in fame at such a young age. Capriati made her professional debut at the age of 13 before breaking into the world’s top 10 a year later.
Whilst the intention is good, 20-time grand slam champion Federer feels that it could be having a negative effect on some players. As of 4th July this year there are 20 players aged 16 or under with a WTA ranking.
“I feel like it (the rule) puts in some ways extra pressure on them every tournament they play.” Federer points out.
“It’s like their week, this is now where they are finally allowed to play, they have to do well, right? I’m not sure if it’s maybe to some extent counterproductive.”
Those views are ones not necessarily agreed upon by everybody. Serena Williams was more coy about the situation. Shortly after her 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, win over Kaja Juvan, the 37-year-old said she was unsure if there should be a change. Adding that she believed she was ‘not a good player’ at the age of 15. Williams’ first professional event was at the 1995 Bell Challenger at the age of 14.
“I can’t really comment on that because I can’t really experience that. I do know when I was younger, I was limited to tournaments. I also was able to go to school and be able to do things that I’ll never get back.” Williams responded when asked.
One possible solution mentioned by Federer is the creation of a mentoring scheme. Where legends of the game would help guide the rising stars. Providing with tips about how to cope with life on the tour. Naming Billie Jean King, Chris Evert or Martina Navratilova as potential mentors.
“They could maybe do a mentoring system that there is maybe still a rule about how many tournaments they’re allowed to play, but maybe it should be more, in my opinion.” He said.
“Maybe your best time (in tennis) is from 14 to 20 for some reason. It’s not like everybody is from 20 to 30.’
“Some want to have kids maybe at 24. At least you had a strong career for 10 years, from 14 to 24.”
“I don’t have the perfect solution. I see why they did it because we’ve had a history of some tough parents out there. But at the same time, you’re also increasing the pressure for that player each week to produce.”
At present, there are no signs from the WTA that they will make any changes to the rules in the foreseeable future.
