Roger Federer feels sympathetic towards the next generation
Just seven titles away from breaking the men’s record of 109, held by Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer feels sympathetic towards the next generation tennis champs. He said that their successes outside of the Grand Slams are overlooked.
The 37-year-old who won the ATP tournament in Halle, Germany for the 10th time is now eyeing Wimbledon. He admitted that the continuing success of players from his league such as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and himself is sidelining the show for the younger generation.
“As long as me, Rafa and Novak are around it is not going to be easy for a young guy to come up and dominate. Maybe it would be good for the sport if they did, I don’t know. People seem to like it as it is,” he said in the post-match press conference.
Federer lost the Halle title to the 22-year-old Boran Coric, while Russia’s Karen Khachanov, 23, entered the top 10 this year after beating Djokovic in Paris Masters last November. He further argued that in his era getting recognition was easy but now the focus is only on the four maestros and the achievements of the new comers are being drowned in their limelight.
The Swiss player after his win is now seeded at number 2 above his rivals Rafael Nadal in the All England Club. If he wins this Wimbledon he’ll be the only player to have won the title nine times.