Roger Federer explains tournament absence: ‘I was always asked to play… but I did not’
ROGER FEDERER broke his San Jose duck by playing a charity match there last month but admitted he wasn’t quite sure why it took him so long.
San Jose hosted the Pacific Coast Championships - also known as the SAP Open - for two decades before it ran for the final time in 2013.
The venue lists among its champions Pete Samprass, Andre Agassi, Andy Murray and Milos Raonic but never played hosted to Federer.
And after facing Jack Sock in an exhibition match there last month, the legendary Swiss player was quizzed over his failure to visit the city previously despite it being an indoor tournament, conditions in which he usually thrives.
“I played a couple of tournaments in America in my career, I remember,” Federer said.
“My success on the tour came on indoors, so I played indoors when I could next to Switzerland. I could always lose, go home.
“It's always a nice thing for a tennis player to sleep in your own bed, and if I wanted to come in America I always had to connect along tour.
“For some reasons, I didn't play in America in February.
“I was always asked to play, people were super friendly from the American tournaments especially early in my career.”
Roger Federer SABRs 132mph Jack Sock serve
Federer has rarely felt pressure to play in tournaments, especially later in his career as he looks to preserve his body and play for as long as possible.
The Swiss has skipped the entire clay-court season once again this year, his weakest surface and one that taxes his body the most.
Instead, he will take an extended break before returning to play on his beloved grass and attempting to capture a staggering ninth Wimbledon title.
“I deserve [a break],” Federer said after crashing out of the Miami Open at the hands of Thanasi Kokkinakis.
“That’s how I feel.”
Federer will remain on the sidelines until he returns at the Halle Open in Germany, a tournament he has won nine times, including without the loss of a set last year.
The Halle Open will get underway on June 18.