Former World No. 1 Boris Becker has defended 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer’s decision to skip the 2018 French Open.
Federer, who will turn 37 in August, has admitted multiple times that his body cannot survive the rigors of the year-long tour. In order to stay healthy and fresh, the Swiss star opted to miss Roland Garros for a second successive year.
Federer has spoken about his physical issues while playing on the red dirt. According to his own admission, clay is dangerous for his knee and back. The reigning Australian Open champion has a history of back and knee problems.
According to his schedule, Federer is expected to return to action at the upcoming Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, which will get underway from June 11.
Many people have criticized Federer for picking and choosing tournaments, but Becker has backed Federer’s decision.
“He has the right to make his own decision,” Becker said.
“I think he did so much for this sport that we should not question his ambitions or the fact that he has to take care of himself in the first place, so he can have a chance at Wimbledon.
“He has to make some sacrifices.”
“He has the right to make his own decision,” Becker said.
“I think he did so much for this sport that we should not question his ambitions or the fact that he has to take care of himself in the first place, so he can have a chance at Wimbledon.
“He has to make some sacrifices.”
Becker was one of the biggest superstars of the 80s alongside the likes of Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors.
However, Becker has never compared generations and has largely stayed away from the debate, which has been going on in the tennis world for decades.
“I do not mean that one era is better than the other, in the 80s we played with wooden rackets and we even had different types of shoes, each generation is great,” Becker added.
“I would never say that players like Lendl, McEnroe, etc. would not have any chance against today’s players.
You never know, there’s never any evidence, if you ask Rafa and Roger they will never tell you they’re better, even when they’re at the end of their careers.”
