Roger Federer feels injured players should give up their spot following Wimbledon win
"No, a player should not go on court if he knows he will not finish. The question is, did they truly believe they were going to finish?"
Wednesday 5 July 2017 12:45, UK
Roger Federer says he would hope injured players "would give up their spot for somebody else" rather than playing simply for the prize money.
Federer and Novak Djokovic both advanced at Wimbledon when their opponents retired from their matches in the second set.
Federer reached the second round for the 15th consecutive year after opponent Alexandr Dolgopolov retired with an ankle injury when trailing 6-3 3-0. In what was a near repeat of the previous match on Centre Court, Martin Klizan pulled the plug against Djokovic.
It has been a damaging first first few days for Wimbledon organisers with Dolgopolov and Klizan the latest casualties after Nick Kyrgios, Viktor Troicki, Janko Tipsarevic, Denis Istomin, Anastasia Potapova and Queen's Club champion Feliciano Lopez all fell by the wayside.
Federer was asked during his press conference whether some players starting games that shouldn't are simply doing it for the money, with a handsome cheque of £35,000 on offer for first-round losers at the All England Club, rather than real physical reasons.
"No, a player should not go on court if he knows he will not finish. The question is, did they truly believe they were going to finish? If they did, I think it's okay that they walk on court. Otherwise, I feel they should give up the spot," said Federer, who is favourite to land his eighth Wimbledon title.
"You hope that they would give up their spot for somebody else, even though they deserve to be in there, but fitness not allowing them.
"In the process, I think maybe the tour - well, the ATP has adjusted its rule. But maybe the Grand Slams should maybe have a look at what they could do for the players to make it just a little bit easier."
Djokovic believes the issue "should be addressed" and feels the Grand Slam tournaments should align with the ATP Tour rules regarding prize money.
"Maybe it should be addressed. I think the new rule that the ATP has reinforced allowing players who have made it to the main draw get what they deserve, but on the other hand they allow someone else to play if they can. I support that kind of rule."
In 2015, seven players were forced to withdraw from Wimbledon on what was dubbed "Black Wednesday" because of injury.
Both Djokovic and Federer also joked about practising on Centre Court together for the crowds after a disappointing day of action.
Former world No 1 Djokovic said: "We had a little joke about it in the locker room, saying we should maybe play a practice set on the Centre Court, have the crowd stay."
Federer said afterwards he felt for the crowd: "They're there to watch good tennis, proper tennis," he said. "Yeah, it's unfortunate that it happened today like this."
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