“Federer should respect the tour”: Feliciano Lopez

After his defeat in the Miami Open, Roger Federer announced that he’ll be skipping the entire clay court season. He did the same last year as well citing fitness issues despite winning the Australian Open before. On his return in 2017, he went on to win the Wimbledon as well.

“I decided not to play the clay season … I am trying to figure things out now, I have some time. I’m a positive thinker, every match is another opportunity. You take a break, get away from it all, and get back to practice court and work.”, Federer said

Commenting on the same, Feliciano Lopez, the 36 year old from Spain, said, “I want Federer to play in Madrid again before he retires,’ 

‘I was training with him in Rotterdam and I was lucky to speak to him. He told me that he admires Santana a lot and that if he were to have played Roland Garros he could have come to Madrid.

It’s a pity that Federer is not at the Madrid Open because the clay-court season is as important as the grass or hard-court seasons. Like any other elite tennis player, Federer should respect the tour and compete the whole year.’

Despite missing on the clay season altogether, Federer might reclaim the number 1 spot since he has no points to defend unlike Rafael Nadal who dominated the entire clay season last year.

Read: “Parents shouldn’t pressurize kids”: Rafael Nadal

Lopez will be taking on a much important role this year in Madrid as the tournament director. He’ll be playing for the 17th consecutive time when he plays in the Madrid Open this year in May.

Commenting on the same, Lopez said, “I want to learn and join the event’s organization,”

“They reacted well to the news and are very happy for me.” 

“It’s not easy with tennis players.”

Notably, he’ll be the solo tournament director from 2019 onwards.