Roger Federer uncertain about return to India

Roger Federer believes it is too early to decide whether he will feature in the next edition of the IPTL.

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While Rafael Nadal (R) was making his first appearance in the IPTL in Delhi, Roger Federer had played here last year as well. (Source: Express photo by Ravi Kanojia)

They share one of the most iconic sporting rivalries of all kind, and so it wasn’t much of a surprise that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal brought some of that chemistry with them off stage. After playing their single set shootout format in the IPTL, the two were quizzed together about the experience in a press conference at the IG Stadium.

“It’s a strange kind of pressure because you have just one set, you are worried to just get a blow at 6-1, you know, you are not even in the match but it’s over and then you are like, that was your only chance by the way. But now you can go home and think about it, think about it for a year. So I was worried coming in because this was my first match back,” said Federer. “We are actually both very happy that the match went the distance and we had more tennis to play,” he added, even as Nadal nodded in agreement and grinned alongside.

There were more questions on their rivalry including why they hadn’t played each other in the US Open.

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“The blame is on me,” said Federer sheepishly. “I messed up one time on match point. He was waiting (in the final), I hope next year may be,” said Federer referring to the 2010 edition of the US Open in which he lost a gruelling semifinal to Novak Djokovic.

Making another point

And while Nadal had already won a set against him just a few minutes before, the Spaniard tried to score another light hearted point “Actually, it is twice,” he said referring to the two match points Federer frittered away in the clash. “I didn’t want to say that Rafa,” Federer responded before adding, “but yeah I messed up. The blame is on me.”

The mood stayed light hearted even when, Federer was posed a tricky question.He was asked whether he considered the IPTL any more than a form of exhibition tennis. “The question is what is an exhibition?” he remarked. “There is a kids’ day exhibition in Australia Nickelodeon style, obviously where you hit and giggle with Scooby Doo, you know. This is not Scooby Doo, so clearly we are playing serious tennis,” said Federer as League’s founder Bhupathi laughed along with the rest of the room.

“You have 15,000 people who are serious about tennis, so it is a question of who is in the crowd. Is the crowd filled with 10-year-olds because it’s the kids’ day or is it because people want to see great tennis and support the Indian Aces and the UAE Royals? Depends on how you see it, to me it is serious tennis with the fun aspect of playing for your team,” he explained.

Exhibition or not?

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“It’s played with great spirit and fairplay. And seeing the legends ( including the likes of Goran Ivanisevic, Carlos Moya and Marat Safin) play in the team, it is phenomenal to see them. I would like to give them a shout out for playing so well because I think it is really hard for them to do what they are doing. Personally, I love it, so call it an exhibition or not, I don’t know what it is but it is a fun concept and that’s why I am back here again,” Federer said.

But while Federer had praised the format, he left it uncertain, whether he would return for a third successive year in 2016, when players have to fit in the Olympics to an already burdened calender. “I am not sure (about that) yet but I have loved it so far and that’s why I came here this year. But I have to see (about next year), it’s a busy year. I need to see how the first quarter of the year goes and then we will have conversations as we go along. I still have to speak to a lot of people before I make that decision and that includes my wife,” he said.

Federer-Hingis partnership

Federer also spoke about his decision to partner compatriot legend Martina Hingis in mixed doubles for the Olympic Games next year. “I am very excited about it. She was a hero of mine, I used to be a 15-year-old practicing at the National Tennis Centre, while she was a sixteen-year-old winning the Wimbledon. So, I couldn’t believe what she was doing and it is beautiful to see that she is still playing. Yes we are a little bit rusty after 15 years of not playing together but hopefully we have some time and we are looking forward to playing at the Olympics,” he said.