SI Podcast : Jon Wertheim with ATP Player Council President

[tennisaddict]

Don't miss out on this podcast between Jon Wertheim and ATP Player Council president, doubles player Eric Butorac. Great Listen.

http://www.si.com/tennis/2015/09/24/si-tennis-podcast-atp-doubles-eric-butorac

One of the topic in the podcast is Federer's role when he was the ATP president and the current doubles tour.

In this week's episode of the SI Tennis Beyond the Baseline Podcast, Sports Illustrated executive editor and host Jon Wertheim talks with ATP doubles specialist and president of the ATP Player Council, Eric Butorac.

Ranked No. 38 in the ATP Doubles rankings, Butorac discusses the state and role of the doubles game in the tennis world, and how he feels about top singles players casually participating in doubles matches. Can the Bryan Bros. beat the top players if they paired up for a doubles showdown? Butorac shares his thoughts and also explains how he has struggled with confidence issues during his career. A product of Division III school GustavusAdolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., Butorac talks about his rise in the ATP rankings, balancing fatherhood with life on tour and the highlights of his 12-year career. Wertheim and Butorac also talk about his role as ATP Player Council president, what it's like to succeed Roger Federer in that position and Butorac's plans for a second career after tennis.

 

[smoledman]

Can you give us the summary of what he said about Federer?

 

[tennisaddict]

Can you give us the summary of what he said about Federer?

Federer is even better than the very nice guy you see on the TV. There is no air or ego when he is in the meetings . When he enters a players lounge or something, everyone lights up ,want to talk to him and Federer mixes well with all levels of players. When he speaks everyone listens. I never tried to fill his shoes. I try to carve a niche for myself. I try to make myself more accessible which would have been difficult with Federer. At the same time, my challenge is to understand what the issues of the top players are.

It is tough task balancing the interest of the players ranked in top 10 vs top 30 vs top 80.

Roger really lead well and he set the tone with organizers (ITF / ATP )to get more. Some rank and file players know Fed's role and in general have an idea of what he did , but they may not know the details that he personally knows.

While he was the president, he always had the interest of the rank and file players to get more money and some times did that even if it displeased the top players.

Other Comments:
Beyond age 30, players are able to maintain their body with fitness and diet, but family is a challenge.
It is always good for singles players to play doubles for the sport. Singles players need to practice more, if they want to beat Bryans consistently.