The coronavirus outbreak has wreaked havoc on the tennis calendar with the entire clay season getting canceled with one exception – the French Open. The French Open 2020 was rescheduled in an attempt to ensure the tournament is still played.
The French Tennis Federation took a unilateral decision to postpone the Roland Garros from its traditional slot in late May and early June to late September. The decision saw criticism from all across the tennis fraternity including the players and associations.
I am sure the player will go to the French Open: Former player
The organizers decided to put their tournament just one week after the US Open. Moreover, the Clay Slam will also clash with various hard court tournaments including Roger Federer’s Laver Cup event. Hence the quick transition from one surface to another might be difficult for the players.
“I cannot imagine Roger Federer misses the French Open, to be honest. I can’t for the moment,” former French player Thierry Ascione told Express Sport. “I cannot imagine that players prefer to play the Laver Cup than the French Open. But if they do I don’t have answers to this because I think it is impossible.”
He further explained that if they play Laver Cup instead of Roland Garros they do what they want. That’s their career but Ascione feels they have to move something. He also understands that it is a private conversation and private economic things.
“But to think the Laver Cup is more important than Wimbledon or Roland Garros, there is no… in terms of fans, history, I am sure the players will go to the French Open. If they don’t that is their choice but I am French, that’s my point of view,” he concluded.
We hope that all the tennis associations come together at a table to find a solution to the problem for the betterment of the sport. However, the future of the sport also depends on how long the pain lasts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the tour continues as per the schedule, it will be interesting to see what Federer chooses between the French Open and the Laver Cup.
Roger Federer Reveals Why He Doesn’t Wear Sleeve-less and Capri Pants
long with his tennis, the Swiss maestro’s outfit in every single tournament is adored by all his fans. Be it his whites from Wimbledon, his sparkling red t-shirt from French Open 2011 or white and black striped attire from Aussie Open 2017, everything wore by Roger Federer is simply admired by the tennis world.
But surprisingly, Federer was never seen wearing sleeve-less or capri pants alike his arch-rival Rafael Nadal. Rafa has worn those numerous times in his career. Also, during the 2018 Australian Open, Nadal was wearing his iconic cut-sleeves.
En route to his 20th Slam victory in Australia, Jim Courier asked Roger Federer: “Your great rival Rafa has come out in sleeve-less once again. When are you going sleeveless like Rafa?”
The Swiss had a pretty logical answer to it and stated that it won’t happen ever because he does not possess those muscular arms like Nadal. “That’s not gonna happen. You know why? My arms are not like his arms. It’s pretty simple. I do love his look, though, this is the Rafa I knew when he was growing up,” Federer said laughingly.
“It was a great look for him” – Roger Federer on Rafael Nadal’s capri pants
Also, Nadal’s three-quarter-length trousers along with his tank tops and long hair were the highlights of the men’s game once upon a time. But unfortunately, the capri pants have disappeared from the game of tennis.
Federer revealed an interesting bit from the past when Nike had a notion to sponsor him those capri pants. “I remember Nike gave me those Capri pants to try before he actually wore them. And I remember I put them on at my home tournament in Basel. I came out and all the players were like “what are these things.” And I was just like, ‘I’m just testing them, I’m never playing in them,’” Federer revealed.
“That was when I was like, “I can’t make this work for me”, and then I think [Carlos] Moya rocked them and then Rafa after, it was a great look for him with the long hair. I would also love him to rock the Capri pants again. But he says not any more so unfortunately not,” he added.
At Australian Open 2018, Roger Federer defeated Marin Cilic in the finals and lifted his 20th Slam. And Rafael Nadal withdrew from the quarterfinals amid an injury.
