Roger Federer argues tennis’ focus on statistics is ‘a problem’

Roger Federer: The fans are the centre of everything

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Roger Federer has suggested the quest to stay at the top of tennis ‘is a bit of the problem’ as it means players fail to enjoy their moments as much. The 41-year-old knows all about winning having claimed 103 titles, including 20 Grand Slams, during a distinguished 24-year career as a professional. 

Federer announced his retirement from tennis earlier this year, bowing out at the Laver Cup following a final doubles match with his friend and long-term rival Rafael Nadal. The Swiss star is considered many to be the greatest tennis player of all time after enjoying a huge amount of success in the sport. 

He has won Wimbledon a record eight times, while he also claimed six Australian Opens, five US Opens and the French Open once. Only Novak Djokovic has held the world No 1 spot for longer than he has, after spending 310 weeks at the top of the rankings. 

Despite this, Federer argues that the focus on statistics takes away from the enjoyment of the sport as players are just constantly looking to the next tournament and the next possible title. 

“There is more analytics in the game,” he told the Daily Show. “Sports science is also coming in hard. It’s ok, it’s important. When you see someone doing something that works, you follow them. We’re living in a very statistics-based world, we love breaking records. 

“When you get to world No 1 they immediately ask ‘how long do you want to stay at No 1’, when you win a Grand Slam they ask ‘when do you want to win the next one’, instead of just enjoying it. It’s a bit of a problem, I think. Instead of enjoying it, we have to move on too quickly.” 

Federer’s retirement was one of the most memorable events over the course of the 2022 tennis season with his final doubles match alongside Nadal particularly notable. The duo were incredibly emotional after the match with a picture taken of the pair of them holding hands and crying likely to be one of the most enduring in the sport’s history. 

Federer has now explained how the final partnership came about.

DON’T MISS:
Djokovic and Nadal’s new rival already vying to threaten Zverev’s comeback – EXCLUSIVE
Carlos Alcaraz and ‘weak’ young players criticised in Djokovic and Nadal assesment
Rafael Nadal makes ‘foreigner’ comment after concluding tennis tour in Mexico

“My hope was I could play doubles with Rafa,” he said. “So I called him up after the US Open. It was a very emotional phone call because it was one of the first times I told somebody outside of my team and my family (about his decision to retire).

“I had to call him up and tell him ‘hey Rafa, just before you make any other plans, I would love you to be at the Laver Cup and play maybe one last doubles with me. It would be amazing. Unfortunately, my knee is not good anymore and I think, it’s the end, you know?’”

Nadal’s response was quick, telling him he would join him ‘whatever it takes’. The pair fell to defeat in front of a packed O2 Arena in London against American duo Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. 

Source: Read Full Article