Federer withdraws from Tokyo
- Thread starter ecy0004
- Start date
The reason being fatigue. Either he is getting old very rapidly or the Japanese havent offered him enough appearance money.
Anyway Nadal has a chance to overtake Federer now. Maybe Federere did this to make things interesting at the TMC
bg
source please…
ninman
Hall of Fame
Sounds like BS to me, if it's true that would be the third minor tournament that Federer has withdrawn from this year. He seemed to do alright with the schedule last year, e.g. RG - Halle - Wimbledon, then this year does the same but pulls out of Halle. Again last year it was USO - DC - Tokyo - Madrid - Basel - Shanghai. Again does the same this year but pulls out of Tokyo. I don't get it.
Yes. You surely don't get how tough tennis is at the top level. Don't worry about it.
sharp*shooter
Banned
Looks like he'll lose his record of 10 titles for the last 3 years or whatever it is.
Ambivalent
Hall of Fame
Maybe he doesn't want to go to Tokyo. I hear it's really poluted and muggy there with occasional earthquakes.
At this rate he will most probably pull out of Basel too. Maybe he will finally give Paris a shot.
From Federers POV, both Paris and Basel need 5 matches. so why not play the event that will give more money as well as resting period after Madrid.
bg
wow Roger ist getting lazy.
I don't think he will pull out of Basel since it is his hometown tournament. More likely he won't play Paris.
He doesn't have to travel to Asia and has some time off now. He will be well rested for the indoor season. Maybe he can play all 3 tournaments now. And he will not withdraw from Basel.
sharp*shooter
Banned
Basel, madrid, paris, masters?
If he won all 4 he'd end the season on 10 titles again.
If he won all 4 he'd end the season on 10 titles again.
anointedone
Banned
This is pathetic. That guy has become a huge lazy ass.
Rhino
Legend
Well he's played 60 matches this year.
Roddick has played 64. Fernando Gonzalez has only played 48!
anointedone
Banned
They would play more if they could. If they were getting to more finals dont think for a second they would be pulling out of events.
Rhino
Legend
Sure, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Fed actually played the 60 matches.
Even the mighty non-stop Davydenko who people accuse of over-playing has only played 72 matches. Plus Federer has played 9 doubles matches while Davydenko has only played 2.
Federer is not lazy, he's efficient.
anointedone
Banned
He is incredibly lazy. To say you are too tired and give up yet more points due to playing 1 grand weekend of tennis in the last 3 weeks leading into a 1 week event is beyond lazy. The tour could have the ultra embarassment of a 3-time Slam winner end the year ranked #2 and his laziness will be what made that embarassment happen.
Rhino
Legend
But why does he need to play Tokyo? He's by far the number one player in the world (please, Nadal can't even make any finals post-Wimbledon and Federer knows it), nobody can get near him.
He still plays a lot more matches compared to most people on the tour, he just has to catch less planes than they do.
Nothing to be embarassed about, sounds like a genius to me - any other player in the world would take that situation (except davy who would rather play tham practice).
Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
He seemed tired in the USO final in comparison to other years (2004). If he feels the need NOT to play, it's his right and clever thinking.
No Drop Shots
Rookie
I think it is very sensible of him, he will finish the year as No. 1 whether he plays Tokyo or not. He is beginning to be more selective in the tournaments he plays, realising that he risks burnout if he continues to play the same number of matches as he has over the last few years. Tokyo takes its toll both physically and mentally due to the long travel and the time difference. He is much more sensible withdrawing and saving himself for the Paris/Basel/Masters matches later in the year, plus his main rival Rafa is still slightly injured and unlikely to win if he plays at all. Honestly, who do you think you are calling the GOAT lazy!!!! If he thinks it is right for him not to play - it is definitely right for him not to play, who are we to question it?
anointedone
Banned
1. He is no GOAT, and his lazy attitude about trying to stay #1 proves it even further (not that he ever was anyway).
2. If he is too tired to play a small 1 week tournament, because he had to play a weekend of tennis in the last 4 weeks then he should retire now. He must have the body of a 60 year old geezer then.
leonardtay
Semi-Pro
Look, as an outsider none of us really knows the situation that requires a pro player to participate or withdraw from a specific tournament, since it is their job, their income or lack thereof, their bodies under strain... I think it is really not up to us to question or condemn or condone even the decisions of others... dont you agree?
ninman
Hall of Fame
Personally from a fans point of view I'm dissapointed, last year he played 97 matches, this year he's played nearly 40 fewer and he's citing fatigue. If he's giving up Tokyo to play Paris then that's fine, he'll get a hell of a lot more out of Paris than Tokyo anyway. The other reason is that he might just not have enjoyed it last year.
I think if Rafa had a great hardcourt season so far, Roger would have played Tokyo as well as maybe one more minor tournament just to prevent Rafa to close the gap (pointwise).
Since Rafa is still injured, there is no need for Roger to overdo it and risk his own health. He doesn't have to proof that he can win 10 tournaments per year let alone playing 90+ matches per season. He did that a couple of times already.
Since Rafa is still injured, there is no need for Roger to overdo it and risk his own health. He doesn't have to proof that he can win 10 tournaments per year let alone playing 90+ matches per season. He did that a couple of times already.
anointedone
Banned
I disagree. He is now too lazy and fragile to handle playing a week of tennis after 4 weeks off, if he had played a weekend of tennis in there somewhere. He even admited it himself (well no the lazy part but the rest).
Where Nadal was in the points would make no difference. He does not have hunger or determination to be #1 despite the fact he is still there regardless.
Rhino
Legend
The year isn't over yet.
You do not own Federer. He can do as he wants, and he plays more matches per year than most people on the tour anyway.
Do you go and watch him play live?
I have seen him many times and there has never been a shortage of opportunities.
anointedone
Banned
The tours should start fineing people like Venus, Roger, Serena, who pull out of so many events and come up with cheesy excuses.
cknobman
Legend
Hes lazy? You people are too funny. Hes only the leader in points this year and only won 3 grand slams. Does he need to play for money or rank? Dont think so. Could he be overtaken by skipping this event? Small chance. Does he care? No. Should he? No. Hes the best player on tour and can do whatever he wants he owns noone anything. Unlike Rafa he may care more about his personal health than trying to win every tournament. It wasnt a good move for Rafa to keep pushing when he wasnt at 100%, it just made his injuries prolong an worse. Unless Rafa gets back to 100% (which none of us know or will know until we see him play) he has absolutley no chance of overtaking Roger in points this year.
Anointedone only likes to make those comments about Fed to get you people riled up and possibly to feel better about his own insecurities.
Anointedone only likes to make those comments about Fed to get you people riled up and possibly to feel better about his own insecurities.
Rhino
Legend
Well they could make a lot of money in fines this week.
While you're busy complaining about Roger and trying to spell fining, Roddick, Nadal, Djokovic, Joachim Johansson, Thomas Johansson, H.T Lee and Paradorn Srichaphan have all pulled out of Bangkok.
superstition
Hall of Fame
There are already plans to fine players for pull-outs, punishing them for being injured. While the big money players won't care, the cash-strapped low-ranked players are going to have a problem.
September 28, TOKYO, Japan -- World number one Roger Federer has pulled out of the Japan Open tennis tournament which begins next Monday.
Federer is taking the precaution and skipping the Japanese event after his long-time
girlfriend and manager Miroslava Vavrinec became ill after eating blowfish at a Tokyo
sushi bar last year.
"I'm so disappointed that I have to withdraw from the Japan Open," Federer said in a statement released by organizers on Friday.
"Mirka has not mentally recovered 100 percent from last year's incident."
Federer's withdrawal comes hard on the heels of a mass pull out in the current Thailand Open in Bangkok, with the world's second and third ranked players Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic sending their apologies.
To rub salt into the wounds, Andy Roddick, who had been installed as top seed, pulled out an hour before his first match with a foot injury.
At least the Tokyo tournament has been boosted on the women's side with American Venus Williams, currently playing in South Korea, opting to enter.
On other tennis news on Friday. Mercedes-Benz announced it will end its sponsorship of the men's ATP tennis tour when the current three-year contract expires at the end of 2008.
The company has been one of the main sponsors of the ATP since 1996. and syas it would shift focus to golf, equestrian and soccer, as well as fashion and lifestyle. E-mail to a friend
Copyright 2007 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
Federer is taking the precaution and skipping the Japanese event after his long-time
girlfriend and manager Miroslava Vavrinec became ill after eating blowfish at a Tokyo
sushi bar last year.
"I'm so disappointed that I have to withdraw from the Japan Open," Federer said in a statement released by organizers on Friday.
"Mirka has not mentally recovered 100 percent from last year's incident."
Federer's withdrawal comes hard on the heels of a mass pull out in the current Thailand Open in Bangkok, with the world's second and third ranked players Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic sending their apologies.
To rub salt into the wounds, Andy Roddick, who had been installed as top seed, pulled out an hour before his first match with a foot injury.
At least the Tokyo tournament has been boosted on the women's side with American Venus Williams, currently playing in South Korea, opting to enter.
On other tennis news on Friday. Mercedes-Benz announced it will end its sponsorship of the men's ATP tennis tour when the current three-year contract expires at the end of 2008.
The company has been one of the main sponsors of the ATP since 1996. and syas it would shift focus to golf, equestrian and soccer, as well as fashion and lifestyle. E-mail to a friend
Copyright 2007 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
I don't know what your complaining about, because after all his withdrawal gives "the best player in the world" a chance to overtake him in the 2007 ATP race. And those are your words.
It maybe a week in tennis but it's probably more like 2 weeks for the players (a few days for travelling, a few days practising/conditioaing/ before hand, a few days shopping with Mirka, etc).
Also, maybe he's smart enough to schedule his tournaments so he can have a longer & successful tennis career. The guy is no spring chicken anymore & it will probably take longer to recover from the physical & mental strains of tournaments.
Rhino
Legend
If thats true then thats a decent excuse.
superstition
Hall of Fame
Anyone who eats fugu should recognize the risk, and no one would force her to eat it again. That's the worst excuse I've heard. It sounds like parody.
Rhino
Legend
Well I did think perhaps it was a joke, but if she is truely sick then he's doing the right thing.
johnny ballgame
Professional
When Rafa wins Madrid (like he did in 2005), this is going to get interesting.
I think he never should have signed up for Tokyo if he had such a bad experience last year. And I think the real reason he is pulling out is because he is tired. But at this time of year pull outs are a major crisis. Because he is not injured and is the #1 it would be nice if he had played anyway just to set an example, but one can hardly blame him.
As for Rafa, I hope he gets all the rest he needs, so he can play his best where he can get the most points: the Masters Series. It would not be worth it to have him come back for some small tournament only to exacerbate his injuries.
Agassi said it, that one goes to most tournaments, especially at this time of year tired and sore. Look how players who take time off due to suspension come back playing so much better. They have let their bodies heal, and they can come out swinging.
As for Rafa, I hope he gets all the rest he needs, so he can play his best where he can get the most points: the Masters Series. It would not be worth it to have him come back for some small tournament only to exacerbate his injuries.
Agassi said it, that one goes to most tournaments, especially at this time of year tired and sore. Look how players who take time off due to suspension come back playing so much better. They have let their bodies heal, and they can come out swinging.
MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
Where did you find this story?
Mirka is not playing the tournament and that press release is not true.
______________________________________________________________
Fatigued Federer pulls out of Japan Open
(adds Federer statement)
TOKYO, Sept 28 (Reuters) - World number one Roger Federer has pulled out of next week's Japan Open due to fatigue.
Federer, who won the Tokyo title last year, said he had yet to recover after winning his fourth consecutive U.S. Open title and playing for Switzerland in the Davis Cup earlier this month.
"I am so disappointed that I have to withdraw from the Japan Open," Federer said in a statement.
"At this point I have still not physically recovered 100 percent from the U.S. Open and Davis Cup.
"Thus my doctor advised me that in an effort to avoid the risk of serious injury, I should not play a tournament for at least 10 days."
Federer's late pullout for the Oct. 1-7 Japan Open leaves world number eight David Ferrer as the tournament's highest seed following the Spaniard's late entry into the men's draw.
Wimbledon champion Venus Williams was also added to the women's draw on Friday.
http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=reu-menjapanfederer&prov=reuters&type=lgns
I disagree. He is now too lazy and fragile to handle playing a week of tennis after 4 weeks off, if he had played a weekend of tennis in there somewhere. He even admited it himself (well no the lazy part but the rest).
I disagree. It's ok if you don't like Roger but to say that he has no determination to be Nr. 1 just because he withdraws from 2 minor tournaments this year is ridiculous. Few guys in the history of the sport proofed more determination to be Nr. 1 than Roger. He's Nr. 1 for 190+ weeks and still counting. Go figure.
anointedone
Banned
The ATP ranking points allows for 5 smaller tournaments. He could end the year with only 1 or 2. He is basically giving up tons of free points to the rest of the field and not giving a damn. That does not show determination to stay at #1.
Also while overplaying is of course a concern to use as your excuses that you are "too tired" when you have played a weekend of competitive tennis in the last 3 weeks before the event begins is amusing.
MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
Why do you even care? Your not even a fan of Federer?
anointedone
Banned
I am simply pointing out facts.
I don´t think so and I believe Federer´s story. Both Nadal and Federer aren´t phisically at their best to play right now. Federer is still fatigued after the tough Davis Cup weekend playing 12 sets in 3 consecutive days. I don´t think some better results from Nadal would have changed his decision. I don´t believe in those mind games and I don´t believe in double standards when someone pulls out from some event: you cannot say someone is really injured whereas the other one is taking a smart and genious decision not playing. Both aren´t phisically at their best right now and it doesn´t make sense to play these small tournaments under these conditions. Things would be different if they were about to play a major as we could see when Nadal played the USO with a knee injury.
MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
Bashing isn't pointing out, would you rather a legitimate excuse like I don't know a "knee injury" or still would you consider that lazy?
