Federer’s tweet yesterday set the tennis world abuzz with chatter: “Unfortunately, I won’t be playing @rolandgarros this year. I’ll miss my fans in France, but appreciate your support http://rogerfederer.com/index.php/news/61-roger-to-skip-roland-garros-will-focus-on-the-grass-hardcourt-season …”

The signs were as obvious as daylight but the frenzied fans chose to ignore them because they wanted to see Roger play the French Open. And, most of Roger’s fans probably understand the reasoning behind his decision to miss the French Open but they just can’t bring themselves around to accepting it.

Nadal’s fans on the other hand are having a field day with this one. The web space is crawling with innuendos and allegations that Roger chickened out after seeing Rafa’s performance on clay so far; as if Roger’s and Rafa’s meeting was somehow guaranteed at the French Open.

It’s a shame either way that Nadal couldn’t get the opportunity to exact revenge for the three in a row poundings that he faced against Roger this year and Roger, in turn, is skipping yet another opportunity to further correct that lopsided H2H he has against Nadal.

In his post titled “Roger to skip Roland Garros” Federer went on to say: “I’ve been working really hard, both on and off the court, during the last month, but in order to try and play on the ATP World Tour for many years to come, I feel it’s best to skip the clay court season this year.”

Roger has always been meticulous about planning his career so far and there is no reason to believe that his decision now is not based on careful thinking and planning for the long term. Therefore, Federer’s fans should focus on the most important and relevant words in his announcement – “…….. but in order to try and play on the ATP tour for many years to come, ……..” They should celebrate Roger’s intent to stay on the tour for many more years to come rather than deplore his absence at the 2017 French Open.