Federer Speaks On Woods

[JB]

PGA.com :: PGATOUR :: Woods will return as 'wonderful golfer' soon, says friend Federer



Roger Federer says he's spoken to his friend Tiger Woods by phone and predicts he will be back soon "as the wonderful golfer we know."

The tennis star said in an interview published Friday that Woods' car accident in November and subsequent reports about his private life have been hard on the golfer and his family.

Federer told French sports daily L'Equipe that he expressed his support, and said Woods' troubles were "instructive."

"The tabloids are going crazy, sponsor contracts are falling apart. ... I've always been aware that the image you patiently construct for an entire career can be ruined in a minute," Federer said. "It scares you a bit, but that's the way things are."

Woods has not played since winning the JBWere Australian Masters on Nov. 15. Two weeks later, he ran his SUV into a tree outside of his Florida home in the middle of the night, and allegations of rampant affairs soon followed. He confessed to "infidelity" and said Dec. 11 he would take a break from golf to focus on becoming a better husband, father and person.

Woods hasn't been seen in public since the accident, and other friends have said they have tried -- unsuccessfully -- to reach him.

"Tiger needs calm. And soon he'll become the wonderful golfer that we know again," Federer said.

 

[Harry Longshanks]

The tennis star said in an interview published Friday that Woods' car accident in November and subsequent reports about his private life have been hard on the golfer and his family.

I suspect it is actually Tiger's banging of every skirt that he saw is what has been hard on his family; not the car accident and subsequent reports about his private life. The inference, whether intentional or not, that everything would have been okay if the press hadn't reported about Tiger's philandering is, frankly, offensive to me.

 

[Cmacdonald]

I suspect it is actually Tiger's banging of every skirt that he saw is what has been hard on his family

To be fair he didn't bang "every" skirt he saw. And I'm sure he's disappointed he didn't get to finish his back nine.

 

[Spank818]

The press has always overblown any scandal, but hey that's what sells. Does Tiger deserve this, to a degree. I think because he was always portrayed in such a private manner that anything publicly negative that could sell the press would jump n it. I've always thought that he would make it back to the Masters somehow. I also think that no matter how private he is trying to keep this his only sanctuary will be in the public eye on the golf course.

America has always been very forgiving with it's sports stars. As unfortunate as this situation is, we will eventually forget about this as well.

 

[Hanks]

To be fair he didn't bang "every" skirt he saw. And I'm sure he's disappointed he didn't get to finish his back nine.

I suspect it is actually Tiger's banging of every skirt that he saw is what has been hard on his family; not the car accident and subsequent reports about his private life. The inference, whether intentional or not, that everything would have been okay if the press hadn't reported about Tiger's philandering is, frankly, offensive to me.

maybe we should go with "every other" skirt?

 

[andimetrum]

I have a weird feeling that Tiger will show up and shred his way through all four majors. He'll play 8 tournaments this year and win each one.

 

[Islander]

I can't wait for him to get back on the course and put this whole thing behind him.

 

[Cmacdonald]

I can't wait for him to get back on the course and put this whole thing behind him.

Hecklers will never allow that to happen.

 

[Badger_Golfer]

So now we're suppose to feel sorry for Tiger because he got caught cheating on his wife?
I understand that Federer is Tiger's friend, but come on. Tiger's current situation is all of his own making and I dont feel the least bit sorry for him.
If you're famous and dont want the tabloids picking your life apart, perhaps you shouldnt be having sex with strippers and waiteresses behind your wife's back!

 

[provisional]

Hecklers are not allowed in pro golf. If anyone gives TW a bad time once he is back, they will be escorted off the property at his request. Once that happens a few times, the heckling will stop. If you think about it the only places he is safe is on the golf course, or hidden away some where.

Hecklers will never allow that to happen.

 

[Diane]

Tiger needs to do major damage control and I wonder if Federer speaking out publicly is a first step in that. I find it doubtful that Federer would have spoken unless Tiger gave his approval.

 

[thedue]

I agree. Most likely Federer was the first in a series of attempts to position a "good feeling" in the wind. Next could be one of his trademark charities such as First Tee doing something big in the news. They may not mention Tiger, but his face is on there as everyone knows.

 

[Cmacdonald]

Hecklers are not allowed in pro golf. If anyone gives TW a bad time once he is back, they will be escorted off the property at his request. Once that happens a few times, the heckling will stop. If you think about it the only places he is safe is on the golf course, or hidden away some where.

True I suppose, I'd never do anything like that but get a few beers in some people, they will.

 

[andimetrum]

You're right, D. If he wants to get back out in public without being constantly bagged in the press tent and off the course, all he can do at this point is be contrite and gracious.

He seems like the type who could just disappear and never look back, though.

Oh well, he's never been my favorite golfer anyway, so I'm somewhat glad that there are opportunities for others to step up. I would miss some of his super human feats, however.

 

[Esox]

Tiger should rent a squadron of C130s from the air force, fill them with food, water, and whatever else, and fly down to Haiti. He should stand on the back ramp and hand the stuff out himself.

Penance and good will building at the same time. And the stuff is needed, too.

Kevin