McEnroe: Players must band together
NewsCore
Share This Story
Seven-time grand slam champion John McEnroe has urged players to band together amid growing speculation about a revolt against tennis authorities over the length of the season or an increase in prize money that would be in line with higher tournament revenues.
EYES ON MELBOURNE
Check out all the action from Melbourne Park.
The prospect of a player strike was again raised on the eve of the Australian Open, with world No. 2 Rafael Nadal publicly criticizing Roger Federer for his reluctance to voice his concerns about scheduling and revenue distribution.
In interviews with Spanish media at Melbourne Park, Nadal lashed his longtime rival for worrying too much about his public image while other players "burn themselves" by speaking out against the sport's governing bodies.
McEnroe believes the strike threat is justified, saying players should not have to put up with the farcical scenes at last year's US Open, where rain delays meant Nadal was forced to play on three consecutive days, culminating in his loss to Novak Djokovic in the final.
"That's been an issue since I was playing, but so far the players haven't banded together enough to say, 'We're not going to do that,'" McEnroe told FOX Sports Australia.
"I'm sure if they decided not to do it, it wouldn't happen.
"A lot of things wouldn't happen if the players stuck together."
Federer weighed in on the debate after dismantling Russian qualifier Alexander Kudryavtsev (7-5, 6-2, 6-2) in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday night, but refrained from using the word "strike," The Wall Street Journal reported.
"You know, it's such a dangerous word to use. That's why I always say, 'Let's try to avoid it as much as we can,' right?" said Federer, the president of the ATP Player Council.
"It's not good for anyone really — we've seen it in other sports happening in the States," he said.
But the world No. 3 said that although he is confident a good solution can be reached in the near future, he will support the majority of the players if there is no agreement.
"I just think we have to think it through how we do it, if we do it, can we do it, whatever it is, instead of just going out and screaming about it . . . that's not how I think you're going to get results," he said.
The 30-year-old was also quick to quash suggestions of tension between himself and longtime friend and rival Nadal, who told Spanish press, "For him (Federer) it's good to say nothing. Everything positive. 'It's all well and good for me, I look like a gentleman,' and the rest can burn themselves."
"Things are fine between us . . . I have no hard feelings towards him," Federer said. "For me, obviously nothing changes in terms of our relationship. I'm completely cool and relaxed about it."
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Mickelson withdraws after 79
Phil Mickelson bails on Memorial after opening-round 79. -
Franklin sorry for hot wives comment
Vanderbilt football coach James Franklin apologized late Thursday after claiming he o... -
Goodell confident bounty hunting over
Commissioner Roger Goodell is confident that bounty hunting will no longer be an issu... -
Former NBA star Twyman dies at 78
Basketball Hall of Famer Jack Twyman has died at 78. Twyman was one of the NBA's top ... -
Thunder rout Spurs, trim deficit to 2-1
Spurs finally lose playoff game -- and it's not even close.
Tennis Videos
London 2012: Tennis
Posted: May 09, 2012
FOXSports.com gets you ready for London 2012 with a preview of Tennis.
FOXSports.com gets you ready for London 2012 with a preview of Tennis.
Find out what a gold medal is worth
Posted: Apr 17, 2012
FOX Sports Olympic analyst Evan Morgenstein asks what a gold medal's really wort...
FOX Sports Olympic analyst Evan Morgenstein asks what a gold medal's really wort...
Federer feeling good about game
Posted: Mar 22, 2012
Roger Federer talks about the current state of his game and more.
Roger Federer talks about the current state of his game and more.
Tennis Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Detroit Pistons Royal Blue Primary Logo T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Pistons/browse/featuredproduct/172443/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_172000/FF_172443_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | adidas Detroit Pistons Royal Blue Primary Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/173566/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173566_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Phoenix Suns Orange Primary Logo T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Phoenix_Suns/browse/featuredproduct/188087/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_188000/FF_188087_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | adidas Phoenix Suns Orange Primary Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Houston Rockets Red Prime Logo T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/188088/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_188000/FF_188088_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | adidas Houston Rockets Red Prime Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Phoenix Suns #13 Steve Nash Orange Net Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Phoenix_Suns/browse/featuredproduct/190075/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_190000/FF_190075_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | adidas Phoenix Suns #13 Steve Nash Orange Net Player T-shirt |
| adidas Los Angeles Lakers #24 Kobe Bryant Purple Net Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/194199/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_194000/DS_194199_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | adidas Los Angeles Lakers #24 Kobe Bryant Purple Net Player T-shirt |
| adidas Chicago Bulls #1 Derrick Rose Red Net Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Bulls/browse/featuredproduct/204457/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_204000/FF_204457_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | adidas Chicago Bulls #1 Derrick Rose Red Net Player T-shirt |
| adidas Orlando Magic #12 Dwight Howard Black Net Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Orlando_Magic/browse/featuredproduct/223440/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_223000/DS_223440_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | adidas Orlando Magic #12 Dwight Howard Black Net Player T-shirt |
| adidas Indiana Pacers #33 Danny Granger Navy Blue Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Indiana_Pacers/browse/featuredproduct/243908/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243908_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | adidas Indiana Pacers #33 Danny Granger Navy Blue Player T-shirt |
| Sport Authentics by adidas Cleveland Cavaliers Gold Retro Logo T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Cleveland_Cavaliers/browse/featuredproduct/244087/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_244000/FF_244087_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Sport Authentics by adidas Cleveland Cavaliers Gold Retro Logo T-shirt |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.