Roger Federer: Mats Wilander makes damning French Open accusation after skipping event
ROGER FEDERER has been accused of hurting the French Open by opting to skip the tournament.
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In March, Federer announced he would not play in the second Grand Slam event of the year to stay fresh for Wimbledon, which begins on July 2.
At 36 years old, Federer is managing his scheduled extremely carefully in a bid to prolong his career.
But his decision to not play on the clay for the second consecutive year has led to criticism, in particular from French Open tournament director Guy Forget, who blasted Federer for not taking part.
And former world number one Mats Wilander has echoed Forget’s comments, claiming Federer’s absence has harmed tennis.
I’m not criticising his decision but the tennis world needs him
“I’m not criticising his decision but the tennis world needs him,” Wilander told Reuters.
“Along with [Rafael] Nadal, he is literally still the world of men’s tennis, and to not play a Grand Slam on a surface that we play for two months, on which everybody has grown up on, to not come to the showpiece of claycourt tennis, it hurts the tournament, it hurts professional tennis, it hurts men’s tennis.”
He added: “No, I don’t think he was right to skip the French.
“I understand 100 percent why he would skip the French because he doesn’t want to get used to clay and he’s 37-years-old and all that.
“(But) he could come here, practice a week, maybe lose first round. How much can that dent your confidence? And how will that change your preparation for Wimbledon? Nothing.”
Federer is scheduled to make his return at the Mercedes Open later this month before playing in Halle and then Wimbledon.