Will Federer also play in 2021? "It wasn't for nothing that the knee was operated on," says Swiss tennis boss Stammbach
Swiss Tennis President René Stammbach believes Roger Federer will take part in the Olympics in 2021 - and assumes that the Laver Cup will be postponed.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Mar 30, 2020, 11:36 am
Stammbach denied rumors that players would face legal consequences if they skip the postponed French Open. "All nonsense," said Stammbach in a Swiss perspective . Stammbach himself is a member of the ITF board, "I call the ITF president two hours a day. I should know!" He says. Stammbach is generally positive that the French Open could possibly be played in the late year because the players could earn money again.
However, he cannot win the missing agreement. "There is actually something missing in teamwork. The finer way would have been if they had informed their family, the other Grand Slams and the ITF, but I don't find it reprehensible that they did something to keep the engine running hold."
Will the Laver Cup also be postponed?
In addition to ATP and WTA tournaments in the new French Open range (September 20 - October 4), however, the Laver Cup (September 25 to 27) is also affected - and thus Roger Federer's tennis baby. What to do? "They are sold out in Boston, yes. But also at the French Open - they have been sold out for decades," says Stammbach, who points out the crucial question: Who should play the Laver Cup if it is a Grand Slam tournament? be played? Stammbach therefore assumes that the Laver Cup will be postponed to November, like other exhibition tournaments. "Roger himself did it and played show fights last year."
Stammbach does not see an end to his career for Federer - many had suspected that he could stop after this season. The Swiss tennis boss expects Federer to start at the 2021 Olympic Games. "In any case, we will do everything to make sure he does that," he says. "Besides, he didn't have his knee operated for nothing or just for hiking."