“Perfect” Federer criticised by colleagues
Russian tennis player Nikolay Davydenko says he doesn’t know why Roger Federer is not backing other players in their complaints about issues affecting the men’s game.
Davydenko, the former world number three, spoke a day after Rafael Nadal criticised his Swiss rival for sitting back while others speak out about issues including the overcrowded schedule and the distribution of prize money.
Davydenko said 16-time Grand Slam champion Federer didn’t want “any problems” because “he’s a nice guy, he’s from Switzerland, he’s perfect”.
Federer said he had “no hard feelings” toward Nadal, saying “things are fine” between the two long-time rivals, although he conceded that they disagree on a way to resolve a list of player grievances.
Nadal apologised on Monday for airing his disagreement with Federer in public – although he didn’t back down on the views he expressed.
Federer won his first-round match in the 2012 Australian Open against Russia’s Alexander Kudryavtsev in straight sets on Monday evening local time.
The Swiss number two, Stanislas Wawrinka, seeded 21, defeated Benoit Paire of France, also in straight sets.
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