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Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick says that the current situation is worrisome for all the players - as the top players, such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, are losing a year in their prime while the lower ranked players will struggle without income, in an interview to Forbes magazine.
Roddick says the shutdown affects Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic & Serena Williams as they chase history
The former US Open champion says, “It has to be brutal for the players. Especially Roger, Rafa, and Djokovic, plus Serena, who are all vying for the all-time Slams record this year.
You hate to think that (the pandemic) could potentially dictate who ends up on top. We don’t get an infinite number of prime years. I don’t worry about the top players or tournaments. They’ll be fine (financially) and will still get the majority of their endorsement contracts.
I worry about the lower level players and tournaments that run on a year to year budget. A lot of them can’t handle a zero for the year. I’d be shocked if we got through this without some individual tournaments going away—or some players giving up—since there’s so little margin for error.
I think it’s a fool’s errand to compare anything to the ‘old’ normal right now. It’s time to make lemonade”. The American, who retired in 2012, says that the current situation is completely out of the players control and players will have to take a wait and watch approach.
“I haven’t heard anyone who’s super optimistic about a clear path forward at this point. People might be clinging to hope more than anything else right now. Tennis has its own unique set of challenges. There’s also still so much uncertainty around the virus itself.
Ultimately, it’s completely out of the players control, and like the rest of things in life right now it’s just a wait and see situation” Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are all chasing history for the most number of Grand Slam singles titles.
Federer has won 20, followed by Nadal with 19 and Djokovic with 17. Serena Williams, who has won 23 majors, is chasing Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.