Roger Federer confirmed that he was not going to take part in the warm-up event of the Australian Open. The Swiss cited Family reasons a key reason as to why he had to withdraw from the upcoming inaugural ATP Cup. Ironically, he has lined up a couple of exhibitions he will undertake in after the ATP Finals in London comes to an end. His withdrawal from the event means that Switzerland will not be in contention for this ATP Cup.
“After much discussion with both my family and my team about the year ahead, I have decided that the extra two weeks at home will be beneficial for both my family and my tennis,” he said.
The 38-year-old is currently in London, where he is set to take part in the season-ending showpiece. He will be facing Novak Djokovic in one of the Bjorn Borg Group matches. Roger Federer has won six ATP Finals, and he is followed closely by the Serbian, who has five season-ending championship titles under his name.
Reasons for withdrawing from the ATP Cup
Roger Federer had already signed up to be in the warm-up event of the Australian Open. With only a few months into that event, the Swiss won’t be participating in the tournament.
“When we had to sign up for the ATP Cup it as shortly after Wimbledon for me, it was always logical to play the first week,” he said in his statement at the 02 Arena.
For Federer, skipping the ATP cup was a perfect decision since it meant more time with his family members. He admitted that his wife, Mirka, and children are always a defining factor when it comes to his tennis schedules.
On the decision to participate in exhibition matches
Despite not taking in The ATP Cup in Australia, Federer will play exhibition matches in China, South America, and a game against Rafael Nadal in South Africa. He termed those exhibition matches as vital since it will also give him time with his family members. His match in South Africa against the Spaniard is one that he cannot cancel considering the hassle he has gone through trying to book an encounter with the Spaniard.
He demystified how he and his wife Mirka try to come up with perfect schedules for their children. They always try their best to be together with the children in one place.
“Normally I don’t take these kinds of decisions like this, but I kind of got into that situation having to take a decision after Wimbledon. With my wife, we try to come up with a really good schedule for the kids. At the end weren’t ready to do. We wanted to be in the same place for a long time. I don’t think it’s contradictory at all,” he admitted.
