Roger says sorry over ranking rift with Tomic
Print Edition
TENNIS great Roger Federer has issued a tacit apology for inadvertently provoking a war of words with temperamental local Bernard Tomic ahead of the Australian Open.
Federer, a 17-time grand slam champion, had said at the Brisbane International the 23-year-old Tomic, touted as one of the up-and-coming generation of men’s tennis, was “far away” from reaching the top-10.
Tomic, the highest ranked Australian at 17, took umbrage at the remarks and then told reporters at Melbourne Park that as far as he was concerned Federer was “nowhere near” the level of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
The Swiss, however, said yesterday he had not realized Tomic was as highly-ranked as he was and all he meant was he had the talent, but like many others needed to keep working.
“To be quite honest, when I walked out of the press room (in Brisbane) I thought I was somewhat tough, but at the same time I was fair because I said nice things about him,” Federer said.
“But then I checked his ranking. I didn’t know his ranking was as high as it was, to be quite honest. I thought he was like 50 or 60 and he was top 20.
“That was my bad, to be honest.”
Federer, however, repeated his assertion that making the top-10 and staying there was a real battle for any of the next generation of players.
“It’s a big difference top-10 for a week or for a year or for multiple years, and getting there is not easy,” he added. “It’s a lot of dedication, a lot of hard work. There’s a lot of guys who have the potential right now, not just him.”
Federer also warned wayward Australian Nick Kyrgios that the next two years are vital to realizing his huge potential.
The controversial 20-year-old has polarized opinion over his behavior on and off the court, and he bowed out acrimoniously in the Australian Open third round against Tomas Berdych.
“I think he’s a great player. I think he’s enjoyable to watch. I know some people might not like it. I like it. He’s got a lot of personality,” the Swiss great said.
But Federer warned: “The advice I would give him, just that he’s aware of the fact how important the next couple of years are. Otherwise the train leaves the station and you’re maybe not on it.
“It would be a pity to waste talent and all that even more so in this day and age because I feel talent brought you further back in the day.
“Just talking about a guy who has talent and potential, I can’t hear it anymore. Too many guys have talent. Too many guys are working hard. I don’t believe in that very much any more.”
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