Roger Federer to play at Roland Garros; Rome?

[El Dude]

Not sure if this has been discussed, but Roger says he's playing at Roland Garros. That's good to hear.

But it looks like he's still planning on playing at Rome as he hasn't officially withdrawn yet and is scheduled to play against Jeremy Chardy tomorrow. I mean Roger, really? I guess unlike Novak Djokovic, tennis is your number one priority! Your kids were born less than a week ago and you're going to be in Rome?

I know, I know - it is a nearly necessary preparatory tournament for the French Open, and Mirka certainly has nannies galore to help her out, but still. Maybe take another week off and play in Nice to get warm?

 

[brokenshoelace]

He's probably looking for any excuse to avoid diaper changing duties.

 

[Denis]

He's probably looking for any excuse to avoid diaper changing duties.

I´m sure Roger employs people for that kind of $hit (pun intended).

 

[tented]

To each, no? Roger and Mirka have been together a long time now, and have successfully navigated an extraordinary journey from obscurity to international fame and fortune.

They've always given me the impression they have an unusually strong symbiosis. They know what works for them. They'll be together forever. I have no doubt that if Roger goes to Rome, he and Mirka will both be perfectly fine with the decision.

 

[DarthFed]

He isn't skipping RG and there is no reason to. Those kids will be around long after he is done with tennis which probably figures to be the next 2-3 years anyways. I'm a little surprised he is playing Rome but sounds good to me!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Not sure if this has been discussed, but Roger says he's playing at Roland Garros. That's good to hear.

But it looks like he's still planning on playing at Rome as he hasn't officially withdrawn yet and is scheduled to play against Jeremy Chardy tomorrow. I mean Roger, really? I guess unlike Novak Djokovic, tennis is your number one priority! Your kids were born less than a week ago and you're going to be in Rome?

I know, I know - it is a nearly necessary preparatory tournament for the French Open, and Mirka certainly has nannies galore to help her out, but still. Maybe take another week off and play in Nice to get warm?

Where are you looking at it? Tommorrow all matches are 1st round matches. Roger has
a bye in the 1st round. The earliest he can be scheduled is Tuesday. I am sure Roger would
request a Wednesday scheduling and it is easy to honor the request as there are 12 2nd
round matches that will be scheduled for Wednesday. So, technically people cannot
accuse Roger playing when the babies are less than a week old.

 

[herios]

Not sure if this has been discussed, but Roger says he's playing at Roland Garros. That's good to hear.

But it looks like he's still planning on playing at Rome as he hasn't officially withdrawn yet and is scheduled to play against Jeremy Chardy tomorrow. I mean Roger, really? I guess unlike Novak Djokovic, tennis is your number one priority! Your kids were born less than a week ago and you're going to be in Rome?

I know, I know - it is a nearly necessary preparatory tournament for the French Open, and Mirka certainly has nannies galore to help her out, but still. Maybe take another week off and play in Nice to get warm?

Where are you looking at it? Tommorrow all matches are 1st round matches. Roger has
a bye in the 1st round. The earliest he can be scheduled is Tuesday. I am sure Roger would
request a Wednesday scheduling and it is easy to honor the request as there are 12 2nd
round matches that will be scheduled for Wednesday. So, technically people cannot
accuse Roger playing when the babies are less than a week old.

Correct, Roger is not scheduled to play only in R2, those will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

[Rose]

And Roger was sent back to his wife and kids quickly

 

[GameSetAndMath]

And Roger was sent back to his wife and kids quickly

Actually, Roger said in the pre-match interview (jokingly) that he
came to Rome as they did not want him around.

 

[DarthFed]

Would've been glad to see him lose early in Rome or withdraw had he played Madrid and done decent. Now you worry if his head is in the game. Much is made of how well he handled having twins the first time but his career nosedived shortly after they were born. There might be similar struggles now.

 

[Kieran]

You wouldn't begrudge him it, Darth. The chap has given you so many happy days. But I think he's always a guy who you'd write off at your peril...

 

[DarthFed]

Of course it's understandable, and it isn't the lone factor but it might be a big one. Has to be that much tougher to handle now.

 

[Moxie]

And it might well be. Logistically, of course, there're grandparents, and all the help that money can buy. But one would imagine that his heart (and so his head) is a bit divided right now. Plus, he likes Mirka and his family to be with him, which can't be, right now. This might not be the optimal time for big results, but once they get themselves situated, and the boys are a little bigger, there will likely still be the motivation to play until at least the little girls can remember it. (Until the boys can might be too much to ask.)

 

[Front242]

^ He'll be 40 by then. I know when he plays well he's good but still

 

[Moxie]

^ He'll be 40 by then. I know when he plays well he's good but still

I only said until the girls remember him playing. That should be this year or the next one. He wants to go to Rio, and take his kids. If he's motivated beyond that, we shall see.

 

[Front242]

2016 Rio yeah I'd say is game over. Won't be the same sport for me in 2016. A lot of players are going to retire that year I reckon.

 

[Moxie]

2016 Rio yeah I'd say is game over. Won't be the same sport for me in 2016. A lot of players are going to retire that year I reckon.

I have no doubt the landscape will be different, but I hope it will still be interesting to both of us.

 

[Front242]

Yup. Hopefully we'll both have new younger players that keep us interested in the sport.

 

[El Dude]

I must admit that it would be amusing to see Roger join the Champions Tour in a few years and totally school John McEnroe.