Federer is bucking the Mayan calendar (which is probably misinterpreted) and putting out his schedule for 2013.

With this schedule, he’s taking advantage of an interesting rule that appears to be aimed at him.  this is rule 1.08 Reduction of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Commitment.

It goes something like this:

A player’s number of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 commitment tournaments shall be reduced by one (1) tournament for reaching each of the following milestones:

  • 600 matches (as of 1 January of the commitment year)
  • 12 years of service
  • 31 years of age

If all three (3) conditions are met, then the player has a complete exemption from the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 player commitment.

Roger has played over 1000 matches, has been a pro since 1998, and just turned 31 this past August.  As such, he doesn’t have to play any Masters 1000 tournaments if he doesn’t.  Of course, if he doesn’t, he gets 0 points, but if he had skipped it otherwise, he would have been penalized the points earned at the next highest Master 1000 tournament.

Roger has therefore decided (as of now) not to play either Miami (where he’s had poor results), Monte Carlo (which is an optional Masters 1000 for everyone).  He’s not even scheduled Basel, his hometown tournament, as of yet.  He’s also not playing Doha at the start of the year, though he may play exhibitions (for example, Abu Dhabi).

Roger’s schedule can be found here