Roger Federer Hits Back Over Scheduling Requests at US Open 2019

World Number three, Roger Federer played his vintage tennis against the Brit, Dan Evans in the third round of the US Open 2019. The Swiss just dropped five games in the match and compared to his previous two matches Federer’s consistency on his second serves improved drastically and his crushed Evans 6-2 6-2 6-1 in 100 minutes. 

Britain’s Number two tennis player did not have adequate time to recover from his Thursday’s match and on Friday, that turned out to be an advantage for Roger Federer. The Swiss ace was interrogated whether he or his team approached the tournament officials for scheduling his match today at noon.

“Not really. I don’t remember that I asked for something,” Roger Federer responded. “Yeah, yeah. It’s maybe nice to be out of the sun, as well, I don’t know, I thought. But I definitely didn’t do it intentionally. I don’t even know if the team asked for a day. I know there were questions to have a preference.”

The five-time US Open champion, Federer elaborated that the schedule of the matches depends on the tournament officials and television broadcasters. However, the players can put forth their preferences regarding their order of play. 

“But that doesn’t mean like, ‘Roger asks, Roger gets.’ Just remember that, because I have heard this shit too often now. I’m sick and tired of it, that apparently I call the shots. The tournament and the TV stations do.‘We can give our opinion. That’s what we do. But I’m still going to walk out even if they schedule me at 4:00 in the morning,” Federer added.  

The Brit, Dan Evans played his second-round match for grueling three hours against the Frenchman, Lukas Pouille and their match was hit by a rain-delayed. In less than 24 hours after his win, Evans was scheduled to play the first match on Friday under Arthur Ashe Stadium’s roof.

“I mean, look, yes, regardless of when he finished it was always going to be a competitive advantage for me. So there you have it. Now, is it a big difference if we play at 12:00 or 2:00? Not really. But I think at some stage every hour might matter,” Federer elaborated on the fairness of scheduling.

“I have been there. I know what you’re talking about. Yeah, you could definitely argue that the scheduling was not in his favor. But it’s anyway not fair for me to play my match under the roof, get it done, sit back, relax the next day while he’s battling out a four-hour or a three-hour match, whatever it is, against Pouille. The problem already starts there,” he added.

World Number 58, Dan Evans was asked about his thoughts on scheduling, and he replied in a sardonic tone, “You think a guy who’s my ranking has any say in that? There are probably about four people in this tournament who has a say when they play. Maybe three.”

Evans spoke about the tournament’s preference towards the comfort of the higher-ranked players and the importance given to them. “Yeah. Well, if that is the case [that Federer requested the early match], then – well, yeah. It’s tough on me, isn’t it? But that wouldn’t be the first time the higher-ranked player has had pulled, so to speak. But also, these guys, the tournament obviously want Roger, would rather Roger be going through that match than me, so it’s understandable, yeah,” Evans said.

Further, Roger Federer elucidated that everything is part of the sport and the athletes need to deal with such scenarios. “That’s tennis. It’s entertainment, and the show must go on. I’ve lost maybe matches this way. I’ve won some this time. Luck was on my side. There you have it. So, yeah, I understand if Danny is, like, a little bit frustrated,” the Swiss concluded.