Federer tells rival Zverev to stop moaning about workload but the German hits back: Roger plays by different rules to the rest
ROGER FEDERER has told Alexander Zverev to stop whinging about his workload before they clash today in the last four at the Nitto ATP Finals.
But the German hit back by stating that Federer plays to “different rules” – and claimed Novak Djokovic is on his side.
Zverev, 21, reached the semi-finals at the O2 for the first time yesterday despite moaning that he has been running on empty for two months because the tennis season is too long.
Federer, 37, claimed he felt “fresh” as he pursued his 100th ATP title – and insisted privileged players had to take responsibility for their schedules.
The Swiss superstar, who skipped the clay-court season, said: “What can you do to get rid of burnout at this time of the year?
“You can get rid of 20 tournaments. I don’t know who wants that. Not those 20 tournaments. Not the 200 or thousand players on tour.
“The other option is to decide which are your priorities.
“The good thing is we as players are not employed by a club.
“I can walk right now out of the door and go on vacation if I want to.
“Nobody is going to stop me. That’s a massive privilege, I believe, that a tennis player has. We really can’t complain.” World No.5 Zverev – the youngest player in the eightman field – won his 56th match of the year by out-serving American No.1 John Isner to win 7-6 6-3. And Zverev said: “Roger is older, so he has different rules from the ATP.
“He can skip two Masters Series. He doesn’t have to play all the 500 events.
“My argument is always we don’t have time to prepare and we don’t have time to give ourselves rest. I had this conversation with Novak, he agrees with me.”
Djokovic, who faces Kevin Anderson in a replay of the Wimbledon final in the other semi, remains the favourite to win this title for a recordequalling sixth time.
And Federer added: “I’m still not thinking of the number 100. I won’t let that get in my head, make me go crazy because it should be something I’m excited about and not something I should feel extra pressure over. “As long as I think Novak is in the draw anyhow, he’s playing so good again, it’s never going to be easy.”
Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares will play Mike Bryan and Jack Sock in the first doubles semi-final at midday today.