Communication problems on the ATP tour - and why Roger Federer struggles so hard with Novak Djokovic
The vote for Chris Kermode was the big topic of the first days in Indian Wells. Also because the big players on the tour - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - weren't green.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Mar 13, 2019, 07:27 pm
It has been exciting, sometimes incomprehensible days in Indian Wells so far - and for once it wasn't just the events on the square.
The removal of Chris Kermode as ATP boss at the end of the year, she had announced in the past few weeks . When it did so, there was still great horror.
Many active and alumni were surprised, after all, the easy-going and relaxed Kermode had achieved great success in the past five years - and a look at the numbers confirmed this . The ATP has never been more successful, the actors have never earned more.
Roger Federer also obviously didn't really know what was going on. As he revealed to the Swiss press a few days ago, he tried to meet with Novak Djokovic, the President of the Player Council, one day before the election - who was considered one of the key players who wanted to prevent Kermode from being re-elected.
A meeting that never took place
However, Djokovic had no time. Federer described this as "difficult to understand", even if he then appeased that Djokovic had a lot to do with the whole story. A meeting the day after, as suggested by Djokovic, was again pointless for Federer, "everything had already been decided."
He is now thinking about getting more involved again, said Federer - or just getting a little involved without doing politics. "I don't want to spark in all the time, but I can't just look away and say I don't care. I have to inform myself, and I've been doing this for the past few days. I also spoke to Rafa. We're on the same line, that's important for him and me. "
Nadal even came to his house for coffee , Federer explained in an interview with the "Tennis Channel" . "We talked about what's going on, and I'm happy that we're on the same wavelength."
Why don't Federer and Djokovic get warm together?
So while Federer and Nadal, as is usually the case despite rivalry on the pitch, can quite well and like each other, the duo Federer / Djokovic is still not smart.
A certain rapprochement after the initial problems between the two cannot be dismissed: Federer was annoyed by the young Djokovic because of his frequent injury excuses (and also by Djokovic's parents), and he even invited him to the Laver Cup last year. However, there has never been any real clarity about the relationship between the two.
Former Swiss professional Claudio Mezzadri described the difficult relationship between Federer and Djokovic vis- à- vis blick.de : "Roger likes emphatic people who value each other - he has a little trouble with Djokovic in this regard. They treat each other in a friendly but reserved manner. Roger explained me that Novak is nice and funny, but he doesn't manage to classify him. "
And further: “If the audience supports Darling Federer, the Djoker reacts with annoyed gestures. Although he is looking for the love of the fans, he keeps messing it up. For Roger, Novak's offended reactions reflect the dark side of his character. That's why the rivalry between them dominates - while with Rafael Nadal there is a lot of respect and sympathy in addition to the intensity on the court. ”
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Soares supports Djokovic
Personal things or not: The question still remains open whether the communication problems could have been solved differently. Does an actor from the player council have to visit the players - or vice versa?
Djokovic received support from play council colleague Bruno Soares. When Nadal criticized that no one from the players' council had contacted him about the Kermode decision , the double expert said: “It is difficult to talk to everyone. If there is any doubt, it is up to the person to visit their representative in the Council to ask or propose things. ”
What happens in the ATP power struggle? Remains exciting. Especially since a successor for Chris Kermode is not yet in sight.