‘Some guys are always going to complain’ – Roger Federer hits back at ‘selfish’ accusations
Roger Federer has dismissed accusations of ‘selfishness’ after he was quizzed about the air quality issue at the Australian Open.
Canadian world number 103 Brayden Schnur blasted Federer and Rafael Nadal for not taking a more vocal stance on the issue, essentially allowing the lower-ranked players to suffer in qualifying without the support of the Tour’s biggest names.
Federer, though, believes such accusations are unfair.
“I don’t think I can do more than what I did,” Federer said. “I’m on the council.
“I’ve been on the tour for so long. I came through the lower ranks, the juniors.
“At the end of the day we all care for one another. We cross paths in the locker room.
“I understand some frustration always because this tour, this calendar, this schedule, whatever it may be, is never perfect.
“Some guys are always going to complain. But at the end of the day this is also something new with the smoke. Everybody’s got to figure it out.”
The situation has prompted Federer to visit the tournament referee’s office, though, but it was more for clarity than complaint.
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“I said, ‘I think we’re all confused,” Federer revealed of the conversation he had.
“‘Is it super unsafe or is it totally safe to play?’
“I told them, ‘Look, I just think communication is key for all of us, for everybody. We just need to do more.’ Because I feel like I hadn’t gotten enough information.”
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