Roger Federer: Claims of Exhaustion Don't Bode Well for Future

[joeybee12]

Earlier this month, for the first time in a long, long time, someone not named Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic won a major.

But perhaps there's a reason for it—beyond the emergence of Andy Murray. Perhaps the pace of these long tournaments—and the toll they take physically—has finally caught up to the game's top stars, all at the same time.

Roger Federer, this year's Wimbledon champ, made headlines this week when he complained that he's exhausted and needs a break from tennis. He told EuroSport.com:

I need a holiday badly. I'm wounded, tired, and exhausted and need some time off right now and see where I go from here. Nothing has been decided for the rest of year, even though there is a plan in place, that plan might change. I need to go back to drawing board to see what's important.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1340156-roger-federer-claims-of-exhaustion-dont-bode-well-for-future

He did look out of it at the Olympics and at the US Open...he won in Cinncinnati, but those 2 of 3 tournaments don't take as much out of you...hope he can finish at #1 and come back strong next season.

[KamaAina]

1. Elite golfers handle this simply by cherry-picking the top tournaments

and skipping Hartford, Quad Cities, etc.

I believe the ATP has a quota of tournaments you must play. Maybe that's the problem.

[joeybee12]

2. There is a quota...and they've often complained about it's too many...

And the tennis season is virtually year-round, unlike most other sports.

[TBF]

3. Translation: Skipping Shanghai

taking a vacation in Switzerland, playing Basel later in October. After that, who knows ....

For now it sounds like he's a little tired and wants a break - can't fault him for that. I keep preparing myself for his inevitable retirement ... especially if Mirka gets pregnant again I bet he'll be done and move on to senior events. Perhaps then I'll have a shot at seeing him play

[joeybee12]

4. I think he's emotionally tired more than anything else...

He really had to focuse to get that 7th Wimbledom and get back to #1...I think he'll stick around a couple more years...I'd like to see him finish the year at #1 one last time, though.

[TBF]

5. I hope so -

maybe the Olympics were a bit of a let down too. Understandable after the del Petro match but that had to have been disappointing because that was likely his last chance to get that gold.

[joeybee12]

6. You figure he's been a pro for 13 years or so...

It's hard to keep focus and enthusiasm for that long.