Roger Federer calls for evolution in player-media relations: Hurts when young players don’t feel well

Roger Federer said that the sport should do more to help younger players deal with negative comments and that he couldn’t imagine going through the early part of his career with social media around. Federer said that he knows he has to act differently in front of the media even when he is feeling down. (Reuters Photo)HIGHLIGHTSIssue of players’ mental health came into the spotlight after Osaka withdrew from the French OpenFederer said the situation between players and media needed a rethinkFederer said that he couldn’t imagine going through the early stages of his career with social mediaSwiss tennis great Roger Federer said that the relationship between players and media needs a rethink and that the sport needs to do more to help young players deal with negative comments. 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.

“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…” Federer told the British GQ magazine on Monday.”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,” said Federer.Federer said that he had been following Emma Raducanu’s run at Wimbledon and Osaka’s career over the past three years. Raducanu made history by winning the US Open this year but she made headlines before that with her performances at Wimbledon. However, she also faced 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 Naomi Osaka these last few years it’s been amazing, both of their stories,” he said.”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,” he added.”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.”Click here for our site’s complete coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.

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