Roger Federer says he holds no ill feelings toward Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard made comments to the effect that Federer was not supporting the majority of players in their demands for changes on the circuit. Nadal also said that the Swiss, who is the president of the ATP Players’ Council, wasn’t being vocal enough publicly. Nikolay Davydenko agreed with Nadal. Federer said that he’s behind the other players, but takes a different approach.
"I completely understand and support the players' opinions," Federer said. "I just have a different way of going at it. I'm not discussing it with you guys in the pressroom. It creates unfortunately sometimes negative stories. I think we've done really well over the years now since me and Rafa in particular have joined the council, and also Novak in the past. And when Adam [Helfant] led the ATP, I think we had a really calm relationship about politics. So I choose not to talk about those issues with you guys. That doesn't mean I don't support the players. I think of the players first. Usually when I take decisions, I think of the lower-ranked players first. I hope they know that. Otherwise I wouldn't be sitting on the council, just trying to do what's best for the top guys. I've been around for too long to just say, ‘Okay, we need more stuff for the top guys.’ I'm very happy if the lower-ranked players are doing better, too."
Federer added that Nadal did approach him after he made his comments on Sunday and that "things are fine between us. I have no hard feelings towards him. It's been a difficult last few months in terms of politics within the ATP, I guess, trying to find a new CEO and chairman. That can get frustrating sometimes. He's mentioned many times how he gets a bit tired and frustrated through the whole process, and I shared that with him. It's normal. But for me, obviously nothing changes in terms of our relationship. I'm completely cool and relaxed about it."
The Swiss said that he does not like to use the word "strike" when discussing potential ways to affect change. The players have been discussing ways to change the calendar, reduce the number of days at specific tournaments like at Indian Wells and Miami, and getting more of the Grand Slam revenue pie.
"It’s such a dangerous word to use," he said. "That's why I always say, ‘Let's try to avoid it as much as we can.’ I think that would be the best for all of us: (the press), fans, tournaments, players. It's not good for anyone really. We've seen it in other sports happening in the States. That's why I'm always very careful about it. If there's no avoiding it, I'll support the rest of the players. But I just think we have to think it through how we do it, if we do it, can we do it, instead of just going out and screaming about it. That's not how I think you're going to get results."