Compromises and tough conflicts are on Roger Federer's racket now
by GALE MOORMAN | VIEW 24197
When Roger Federer announced in February he'd have arthroscopic knee surgery, fans had lots of regrets. He had detailed on missing 5 tournaments: Dubai, Indian Wells, Bogata, Miami Open and the French Open. But the coincidence is that due to the coronavirus, everyone would miss the tournaments.
Dubai Duty Free was the only one in the normal schedule saved. But from that point on Federer had many a moment of knowing that timing was on his side. Due to the Swiss' surgery he had to compromise missing competitions, but gained more time with his family, which is a juggling act when on the road.
The tournaments became a fiasco to schedule as the coronavirus started to spread throughout the United States and countries. Indian Wells was the first to go. It had to be cancelled but players complained that they weren't told properly while some were there in California still practicing.
They had to pack up and leave for home. Federer didn't have to go through that, only recuperation from surgery. He might have compromised not being able to play, but in the long run doctors gave him the prognosis that he'd have a complete recovery.
While tournaments had to be postponed due to the spread of the virus, the French Open dates were changed by the French Federation. Unfortunately it coincided with the dates of the Laver Cup which Roger Federer help founded and organized.
The Laver Cup is set and already sold out for the TD Boston Garden arena September 25-27. The French Open was re-scheduled for September 20-October 4. The conflict is that players will have to choose between the Laver Cup or the French Open.
"If you gonna go and make players decide between playing this event and play in the French Open, it's gonna be a heck of a decision..." Sam Groth, former ATP player said concerning the controversy. What wil the organizers of the Laver Cup do? Federer may have faced challenges before but never between a slam and his yearly 'Laver Cup'
The Swissman had the grass event of Wimbledon as his continuing tournament after surgery, the entire ATP season was supposed to start around April 27th, now it won't evolve until te first week of June. Timing is everything but the important fact is that nothing can be predicted.
Federer is going through the main conflict of keeping or changing the dates of The Laver Cup. Both have great significance. Rafael Nadal was the 2019 French Open winner and the last year's U.S. Open victor. He would surely like to defend both titles.
Alexander Zverev teamed with Federer to win over Jack Sock and Denis Shapovalov at the last Laver Cup. So he might not want to miss this one. Compromises to make and conflicts to solve, if possible for Roger Federer to do. It just may be easier to deal with tennis situations when he was playing, rather than now when he isn't.