Roger Federer continues to win titles in his 20th season as a professional tennis player. The 38-year-old won the Swiss Indoors in Basel last week. The win was his 103rd career title and leaves him six short of equaling Jimmy Connors’ record of 109. However, as he approaches the twilight of his career, Federer is carefully choosing the tournament he plays. With the 2020 season on the horizon, the 38-year-old is already making decisions regarding his busy schedule.
Federer withdraws from the ATP Cup
Unfortunately for fans in Australia, Federer has revealed that he will not participate in the ATP Cup. The team competition will run from 3rd-12th January next year. Roger had initially confirmed his participation as part of team Switzerland. This week, however, he announced that he will skip the tournament. The Swiss player said he regretted the decision. However, after consultation with his team, he decided to sit out the inaugural tournament. Instead, he will spend time with his family and avoid an intense start to the tennis season. Fans in Sydney had already purchased tickets for the event. It seems that they will receive refunds after Switzerland withdrew from the tournament. Organizers had charged higher prices for the opportunity to see Federer in action. The ATP is directing fans to a Ticketmaster page where they can access details on the refunds.
So how do we get a refund then? I've paid $205 for a night session to see Switzerland when I paid $65 for the day session on the same day to see Great Britian. The prices were jacked up for Roger and now he is not playing
— Wayne (@WayneM2790) October 30, 2019
@Pr1nc3ssKenny we are in the process of directly contacting all impacted customers. As tickets were purchased via Ticketmaster, they are the ones who can action any requests.
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) October 31, 2019
The Statement
Roger released the following statement:
“It is with great regret that I am withdrawing from the inaugural ATP Cup event. When I entered the event last month, it was a really difficult decision because it meant less time at home with the family and a fully intense start to the season.
After much discussion with both my family and my team about the year ahead, I have decided that the extra two weeks at home will be beneficial for both my family and my tennis.
It pains me to not be a part of the most exciting new event on the calendar, but this is the right thing to do if I want to continue to play for a longer period of time on the ATP Tour.”
Is Federer playing too many exhibitions?
Federer also skipped this week’s Paris Masters. He made the decision because he wants to be fit for the ATP Finals. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has declared that his health and his family are the top priorities at this stage of his career. However, some fans have questioned Federer’s decision to play exhibition matches around the world. This month, the 38-year-old played an exhibition match in Japan against John Isner. After the ATP Finals in London, the Swiss will travel to Latin America for a series of exhibition matches. He will play Alexander Zverev in Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Ecuador. The former world number one will also play Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in Buenos Aires.
Next year, the world No.3 and Rafael Nadal will play an exhibition match in Cape Town dubbed the ‘Match for Africa.’ Tickets for the match have already sold out. The match will take place in February. Roger also intends to play in the Olympics next year. The games in Tokyo might be the final opportunity for Federer to capture his first singles Olympic gold medal.
Suppose something had to eventually give considering Roger Federer's packed exhibition schedule within a four-month period… pic.twitter.com/TVxjPFNisA
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) October 30, 2019
Roger Federer’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.3, Federer played his last match on the 27th of October when he defeated Alex De Minaur 6-2 6-2 in the final in Basel to win his 103rd career title.
This year Federer has a 49-8 win-loss record. Roger has won 4 titles in 2019 in Dubai, in Miami, in Halle and in Basel. Federer was the finalist in Indian Wells and in Wimbledon.
Roger Federer |
| Embed from Getty Images |
