Six-time champion Roger Federer put a troubled start to his 16th ATP Finals behind him as he outclassed Dominic Thiem 6-2 6-3 on Tuesday to stay on course for the knockout stage.
The 37-year-old Swiss played poorly in defeat against Kei Nishikori on Sunday and then skipped practice on Monday.
He responded, however, he avoided being drawn into a row over Benneteau’s reported comments, saying they had been taken out of context.
“I don’t feel like I need to comment on this. I’d rather put it to rest rather than adding to it so you guys got something to write about,” he told a news conference.
He was then asked whether his agent Tony Godsick had ever demanded that Federer only be scheduled on Arthur Ashe court at the US Open – a claim reportedly made by Benneteau in an interview with RMC radio.
Federer: A lot of the facts are not right, just to be clear. Photo: Andy Rain/EPA
“I get asked, would you like to play Monday or Tuesday sometimes. Sometimes I get asked, ‘do you want to play day or night?’ Sometimes they go ask the agent. Sometimes they ask me, you know, ‘Asia wants you to play at night’,” Federer said.
“Yes, sometimes we have our say. But I asked to play Monday at the US Open. I played Tuesday night. It’s all good. Sometimes I get help, sometimes I don’t.
“But a lot of the facts are not right, just to be clear there, from what I heard.”
Federer was more concerned with the way he rediscovered his form to convincingly beat Thiem, admitting his head had not been right in a straight sets defeat by Nishikori.
“I’ll do the same tomorrow because it worked,” Federer said of deciding not to practise on Monday.
“(The Nishikori defeat) was not about my forehand or my backhand or my serve or anything. I guess it was my head. For that sometimes you need a break.
“I could win and still not make it (semi-finals), so from that standpoint it’s not in my power. Important for me is to play a good last match here in the round-robin, try to beat Kevin (Anderson). He has been playing great. He has had a wonderful season.”
Reuters
