WIMBLEDON – Tennis legend Roger Federer has called for a “revolution” in the relationship between tennis players and the media, saying it needs to evolve and the sport must do more to help the younger generation deal with criticisms on social media.
The 40-year-old Swiss said the stress and scrutiny from social media and reporters can be too much for the game’s breakthrough stars of today.
“I think players, the tournaments, journalists, we need to sit down together in a room and go, ‘OK, what would work for you and what works for us’,” he told the British GQ magazine yesterday.
“We need a revolution. Or at least an evolution of where we are today. Even when I am feeling down I know I need to act a certain way in front of the world’s press.
“We need to remember that tennis players are athletes and professionals, but we are also human too.”
The issue of players’ mental health came into the spotlight after Japan’s Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open in a row with tournament officials over media duties.
Osaka said she had been suffering from depression and anxiety and that interacting with the media had sometimes had a negative impact on her.
Federer, who is a 20-time Grand Slam winner, also praised Briton Emma Raducanu's journey to the top in the wake of the 18-year-old’s US Open triumph.
Raducanu had previously come under criticism from pundits and the media when she pulled out of her Wimbledon last-16 match due to breathing difficulties, with some saying she had failed to handle the pressure.
“I was following Emma Raducanu’s incredible run in Wimbledon and also Osaka these last few years – it’s been amazing, both of their stories.
“But it hurts when you see what happens and when they don’t feel well. I think we do need to help, coach and mentor the younger generation more. I can’t imagine going through the beginning of my career with social media.
“For every 10 nice comments, there’s always one negative comment and, of course, that is the one you focus on. It’s a horrible situation.” – Reuters, September 28, 2021
