As Roger Federer prepared for a match that could potentially expel him from the Nitto ATP Finals, concerns were raised about the preferential treatment he received at the biggest tournaments this year. In an interview with the French radio station RMC, Julien Benneteau, the former French Open doubles champion, complained that Federer was so powerful that he carried undue influence within the game. In particular, Benneteau drew attention to the nexus formed by Team8 – Federer’s management company, which is fronted by his agent Tony Godsick – and two of the biggest national tennis associations. There are conflicts of interest, he suggested, in mixing sporting and commercial connections in this way. In 2017, Team8 launched the Laver Cup – a high-profile exhibition in September – with substantial investment from Tennis Australia. The event also has the backing of the United States Tennis Association, although the All England Club have been sceptical. “Roger is a legend of the game, an icon,” said Benneteau at the weekend. “Now, when he promotes the Laver Cup, there are a number of conflicts of interest that have become disturbing. “With regard to the new Davis Cup, he says nothing about the date in November. When the date of September was mentioned [which clashes with the Laver Cup], he woke up and opposed Gerard Pique [the frontman behind the new Davis Cup] which is where I find that the tennis authorities are incredibly weak. His thing, it’s an exhibition, there is no sporting criteria in the… [Read full story]
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