Federer accused of using his position to protect his ATP Ranking

World No.5 Roger Federer has been accused by a senior European tennis official of abusing his position on the ATP Player Council to change the rules and protect his ATP Ranking.

Dirk Hordorff, vice president of the German Tennis Federation, suggested that the former World No.1 used his position on the ATP Player Council to drive a change. The ATP adjusted their rankings calculations earlier this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that caused a halt in competitive play. In November it was confirmed by the ATP that a player’s position will be based on a best of 24-month scenario, which is an increase of two months.

The Swiss Maestro has been a beneficiary of this change, as he has only played one tournament in 2020 due to injury but is still ranked fifth in the World. Had the change not taken effect, his ranking would have dropped to outside the Top 20.

"Roger Federer simply changed the ranking method to protect himself. It is irresponsible and quite simply incorrect,” Hordorff told Tennisnet.com’s “Quiet, please” podcast. “In my opinion, he takes advantage of his position on the Players’ Council. It must nevertheless be said that without the change in ranking system, Roger Federer would not be in the top 50.”

“That the ATP Finals, which is the 19th tournament of the year anyway, will stay there for two years? That’s perverse.”  

Hordorff went on to state that he sees no logical reason in the decision to allow the ATP Finals to count twice as part of the rankings calculations.

"It’s very strange the player council in the days before the Masters final in London starts supporting a rule change that this event counts twice for the ranking,” he said. “Especially with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, two participants who are members of this council.’

“I can’t see any logical reason for this decision and can’t see that they represent the majority of the players.”