This year’s Laver Cup was a glittering affair, as Team World managed to successfully defend their title. Vancouver witnessed the exuberance of the event, as it played over the course of the weekend. However, Roger Federer, the co-founder of the tournament has faced severe criticism for his apparent megalomania.
Federer breathed life into the Laver Cup in 2017 and it has quickly become a marquee event of sorts. Out of the six editions of the event so far, Team Europe has won the trophy four times.
The event was mired in controversy when Gael Monfils clashed with Felix Auger-Aliassime on the first day. It seems that controversy keeps chasing the event, with Federer facing the heat this time. French journalist Benoit Maylin expressed his frustration at the timing of the tournament.
🤔 “Je me pose des questions sur l’image que j’ai de Federer et de Djokovic. Novak c’est le monsieur propre du tennis alors que Federer à une tendance mégalomaniaque qui me fait peur !”
🗣️ @BenoitMaylin pic.twitter.com/P3T7MRKI5e
— Sans Filet 🔞 (@SansFilet) September 25, 2023
Maylin stated that as he aged, his opinions on Novak Djokovic and Federer changed. He feels that between the two, Djokovic is the better person as Federer has a “megalomaniacal side.” The journalist further added how Djokovic has also done something to help the players, even secondary players. As for Roger, he created a competition, and even if it’s not played in his name, it’s still his.
Maylin questioned the schedule because it affected other ATP tournaments. “Why did he want to edit this in the middle of the season to fuck up because, honestly, this story is fucking up,” said Maylin (via welovetennis.fr).
Roger Federer has suddenly found his name drawn into several controversies of late. However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion will be remembered for his contributions to tennis.
Controversies seem to follow Roger Federer
The Swiss ace has been dragged into yet another controversy, courtesy of his own statements this time. Federer was asked which players he would like to see play for Team Europe next year. Unfortunately, his answer has disappointed a lot of tennis fans.
He stated that he wanted to see Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz play for the same side. Roger also named Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev.
casper like 👁👄👁 pic.twitter.com/vZGlkRo2xy
— Waluigi IRL (@NoBSRussian) September 25, 2023
Fans slammed Roger’s answers as disrespectful for leaving out Casper Ruud. The Norwegian player won the only match for Team Europe at the Laver Cup this year. Here are a few fan reactions.
respectfully: roger shut up❤️ https://t.co/Sic857RXQX
— Ms Biljana ELECTRONICA (BAS) (@vaultscoring) September 25, 2023
My man won europe their only 2 pts and has never lost a match in this silly little exho and roger still snubbed him smh https://t.co/gYmD9bsSyw
— 👽👻 (@fedettini) September 25, 2023
we will not be watching if rat is back 🫶 https://t.co/sstPkedwVx
— kerstin | #1inMelbourne (@evendensershade) September 25, 2023
While fans might be disappointed with Roger Federer, he has actually done a lot to break the ice between players. The tournament also holds a very special place in his heart, since he played the last professional match of his career here.