Roger Federer must be shaking with fear. After all, he committed a crime – he said he was tired.  After long months of playing on the tour, travelling all around the world and feeling jet-lagged half of the time, playing under a huge amount of physical and mental pressure, the world number one finally allowed himself to show us he is human after all.

And what did he get as a result of his honesty? A rumour that the organisers of the Masters Series tournament in Paris had threatened to sue him for withdrawing from their event just because he was exhausted.
Is it only because they are French that it stinks like a soggy, mill-dewed baguette -- or are they perhaps right? Maybe a player, especially of Federer's calibre, shouldn't be allowed to withdraw from a tournament because he is tired and should be made to guts it out for the sake of fans and sponsors? Maybe he should only be allowed to pull out if he breaks his arm and has a cast on to prove it?

Tournament organisers around the world claim they lose money because of key players’ withdrawals and fans not buying match tickets when the big names are not around. And I say – tough luck! True, some players will always find a way to bend the rules that demand medical proof of injury and illness. Every one of them probably has a good family friend for a doctor who is willing to issue a medical certificate without really checking the "patient".

But I’d rather have a few of those travelling around the Tour than have to cope with players pulling out of tournaments for two or three months with serious injuries, just because someone out there doesn't really care about their health.

It’s a fact the tennis season is too long and too demanding, and there isn't a player in the world who is not in some kind of pain or discomfort as these lines are written. It’s the same in almost every professional sport, not only in tennis – and it’s not be this way. Players shouldn't be afraid to take care of their bodies just because someone is losing money if they don't show up.

What the ATP, WTA and tennis tournament organisers should do is to try be more considerate towards players’ schedules and be a little more flexible. They can also try to restrict the number of tournaments each player competes in annually -- and just make sure they include the four Grand Slams and another two or three "must" tournaments. They can try to change the ranking system again in a way that rewards players for quality and not quantity. They can do lots of things. But first, and most important, they must trust the players.

When someone like Federer says "I’m tired’’, you better believe the guy is telling the truth. I am sure every tennis fan would prefer to see Federer healthy, happy and at his best 42 weeks a year than injured, troubled and frustrated 52 weeks a year. Even if someone out there will make a bit less money.