The Swiss says that the powers that be should hash it out and make changes to the current player-press dynamic. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday September 27, 2021
Roger Federer believes that the relationship between the tennis press and players is in line for a revolution – or at least some evolution. Speaking in an interview with British GQ, the 20-time major champion was candid with his thoughts about rising WTA players Emma Radacanu and Naomi Osaka.
Federer says it is has been difficult to watch Osaka struggle and hopes the same doesn’t happen to Raducanu, now that she has been thrust into the spotlight.
“I was following Emma Raducanu’s incredible run in Wimbledon and also Naomi Osaka these last few years – it's been amazing, both of their stories,” he said. “But it hurts when you see what happens and when they don't feel well. The stress is so great.”
"I remember turning 20… You think you know who you are, but you really have no clue! At 30 you have a pretty good idea, figuring it out, but at 40 I think you know." – @rogerfeder #GQHypehttps://t.co/4ouKEDJhh5
— British GQ (@BritishGQ) September 27, 2021
Federer puts a lot of the issues on the advent of social media in the last decade, and he agrees with Osaka about the state of press relations in the sport. He thinks things need to change.
“I think a lot has to be down to social media: the first ten years of my life there was no social media, maybe I had just a website, then the next ten years social media was everywhere,” he said. “Also, in regards to this, the press situation does need to be reconsidered. I think I’m one of the athletes who’s done the most press – ever! And I agree that it's always the same. Always. “I think players, the tournaments, journalists, we need to sit down together in a room and go, ‘OK, what would work for you and what works for us…’ We need a revolution. Or at least an evolution of where we are today.”
The 40-year-old Swiss says that the younger generations need mentoring in this regard. There's so much to get up to speed with, and managing and understanding the issues sometimes enable players to avoid the stress and concentrate on being the best version of themselves on the tennis court.
“I think we do need to help, coach and mentor the younger generation more,” he said. “I can’t imagine going through the beginning of my career with social media; I have no clue how I would have handled it. For every ten nice comments there’s always one negative comment and, of course, that is the one you focus on. It’s a horrible situation. Even when I am feeling down I know I need to act a certain way in front of the world’s press. We need to remember that tennis players are athletes and professionals, but we are also human too.”
