Rafael Nadal criticizes Roger Federer for not taking a strong enough stand on tour issues and looking out for himself too much. After continuously stating in English that he no longer wanted to discuss ATP politics because he was the only one taking a consistent stand, Nadal then said in Spanish that Federer's opinion that the sport is functioning well was off base, and that the tour has more room for improvement.
"I disagree with [Federer]," Nadal said in quotes published by the news agency EFE. "It is very easy to say, 'I am not going to say anything, everything is positive' and come off as a 'gentleman' and burn the rest. But it is not like that. We each have our opinion and maybe he likes the circuit. I like it too and I think it's better than most sports, but that does not mean it cannot be better and you can't change things that are bad."
Federer is the head of the ATP Players Council while Nadal is the vice president. Nadal went on to say that he speaks positively of tennis, because thanks to the sport, "I have had experiences in my life that I never could have dreamed of, but to finish your career with pain in all parts of your body is not positive. If he finishes his career as a rose, it's because he has an extraordinary body, but neither Murray nor Djokovic nor I will end up roses."
Nadal also fears for his immediate future in tennis and afterward. "At what age we are going to stop in tennis? 28, 29 or 30? Then you have left a lot of life ahead and it's also important as you physically fit and now I fear that then I won't be able to play soccer or ski with my friends."—Matt Cronin