That is why Roger Federer is threatened with an exit through the back door.

Between erosion and explosion: why Roger Federer threatens to go out the back door

Tennis games are suspended until mid-July. But the resumption seems illusory. At the moment, there is not even a consensus on where, when and under what conditions it can be played again. Fundamental changes are imminent for world tennis.

Simon Häring / ch media

While soccer in Germany is returning to normal with ghost games in mid-May, tennis is struggling with the stage to get out of the crown crisis. The sport is too global, the conditions are too unequal to be able to make statements about when, where and under what conditions it is possible to play again. And the reluctance of many players to move to the agenda is also too great. Fundamental failures and disruptions are almost certain to occur, whether as erosion or explosion. This has nothing to do with a move by Roger Federer, who suggested a merger of the two professional associations WTA and ATP. The most important questions and answers shortly.

When will you play again?

The game will be temporarily suspended until July 13, and if the organizers of the French Open decide that the second Grand Slam tournament of the year will be played in Paris from September 20. That doesn’t seem particularly realistic. Because it is now known that the Australian Open is already assuming that in January 2021, ideally, the game can only be played in front of Australian viewers, and that players would have to be quarantined for two weeks after entry. . Tennis Australia is also dealing with a cancellation scenario. At the moment there is not even a consensus on the conditions under which the tennis circus could return to normal. Novak Djokovic has already said he would resist vaccination.

What do the players say?

Opinion leaders do not expect play to resume soon. Rafael Nadal told the Spanish newspaper “El País” that he does not expect 2020 to be played. Stan Wawrinka made a similar statement in “L’Equipe”. Novak Djokovic, who is currently based in Marbella, Spain, and trained there illegally, regularly entertains his followers with live conversations on social media. As president of the Players Council, he is reluctant to comment on tennis policy issues. The same applies to Roger Federer, who through his foundation in Africa supports 64,000 children and their families with food packages worth a million dollars.

Is there a relief fund?

Unlike figureheads like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Serena Williams, who earn much more money as advertising media, most tennis players are significantly dependent on prize money distributed in tournaments. If no tournaments are played, they cannot earn a living. Now, all four Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open), the ITF World Tennis Federation and professional organizations for women and men, WTA and ATP, have established a player relief fund affected by the pandemic. The $ 60 million will be distributed to 800 players. The distribution key is secret.

Will there be a merger?

With three short Twitter messages, Roger Federer unceremoniously lifted the world of tennis in late April when he suggested the establishment of an umbrella organization for men’s and women’s tennis. The idea is well received, but it is still in its infancy. Not only would the organization have to put itself in a new position, but also the tournament schedule. Contracts with rights holders would also have to be renegotiated. It can hardly be assumed that Roger Federer is still experiencing this new world order of tennis as a player. And if the pandemic continues, you face the risk of going out the back door.