By Chris Oddo
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Photo Credit: Mark Peterson / Corleve
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(January 16, 2012) It wouldn’t be a rivalry without some tension, right?
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are in the same half of the draw of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2005 French Open, but so far they’ve made more news in the press room than they have on the court at this year’s Australian Open.
Sunday, in a radio interview with a Spanish speaking station, Nadal aired out some of his grievances regarding what he perceived to be Federer’s lack of support for the majority stance on the current ATP scheduling issues. “For him it’s good to say nothing,” Nadal was reported to have said. “Everything positive. ‘It’s all well and good for me, I look like a gentleman,’ and the rest can burn themselves.”
It’s made for some confusion, and quite a bit of debate, but ultimately the two tennis titans have managed to make nice.
Much was made about the critical comments, and both players had a chance to respond after their matches on Monday in Melbourne. Federer downplayed the issues, and even took the time to commend his longtime rival for assuming more of a leadership role within the tour. “We can't always agree on everything,” said Federer. “So far it's always been no problem really. Back in the day he used to say, ‘Whatever Roger decides, I'm fine with.’
Today he's much more grown up. He has a strong opinion himself, which I think is great. It's what we need, especially on the council. It's been nice working with him.”
Nadal took his turn explaining himself to the press after his first-round win over American Alex Kuznetsov on Monday. “But, anyway, probably yesterday what I said I said,” he said. “Probably I am wrong telling that to you, especially because these things can stay, must stay in the locker room.”
“I always had fantastic relationship with Roger. I still have fantastic relationship with Roger… Don't create crazy histories about what I said yesterday, please. Just I said, because, you know, we can have different views about how the tour need to work. That's all.”
As much as the press wanted Nadal to elaborate further, he wouldn’t take the bait. “I do not talk anymore,” said Nadal, who has clearly moved on to worrying about the state of his right knee over the tour’s political issues. “During the two weeks, you can try very hard to asking me a lot of things. Yesterday, you know, I started, and I say I don't want to talk anymore about this. Finally I talked too much as usual. That's not gonna happen again.”
Federer, too, was ready to move on. “I was in the meeting, you know,” he said. “I completely understand and support the players' opinions. I just have a different way of going at it. I'm not discussing it with you guys in the press room.”
Now, thankfully, we can all turn our attention back to the tennis. Nadal will meet Tommy Haas in the second round, and Federer will play Andreas Beck.
End of story.