Novak Djokovic and John Isner come to Federer’s defence over favoritism claims

Novak Djokovic and John Isner came up to Roger Federer’s defence after the claims that the Swiss player received preferential treatment when it comes to scheduling. “In a way, we have to be more specific. If we’re talking about general, so to say, the advantage of some players over another, I mean, in a way it’s expected that the tournament treats top players, their top stars, as players that they want to have kind of feel the best, “the world No 1 said. He added: “In terms of the scheduling, those kinds of important things, everyone is even because it has to go through the filter of ATP, not just the tournament itself.” Isner also felt that the top players deserve everything they get. “If anything, maybe they should get more special treatment because those guys, the top players, have made other players below them a lot of money,” he said. “It is like the Tiger Woods effect in golf. So that is how you can look at a guy like Roger. He is men’s tennis in my opinion. He deserves everything and more that he’s ever had.” Frenchmen Julien Bennateu claimed that tournament referees often give Federer better time slots to play in, especially the Australian Open. “He’s the Australian Open tournament director,” he told RMC Sport. “And the man is paid by Roger Federer’s agent for the Laver Cup. “Over the last two Australian Opens, [Federer] played 14 matches, because he was champion and finalist. And he played 12 or 13 of his 14 matches in the night session.”

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