'The interest of Roger Federer is different to Rafael Nadal', says former No. 1

There was great curiosity about the position that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, members of the Player Council, would have taken on the attempted schism initiated by Novak Djokovic. In a letter addressed to the players, signed not only by Roger and Rafa but also by Anderson, Melzer, Querrey and the doubler Bruno Soares, and written 'on behalf of the players' council', the call for unity is evident as is the condemnation of the Djokovic's separatist attempt. Federer and Nadal, therefore, lined up against the World number one. Speaking with Tennis365, Boris Becker explained why Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have refused to support Djokovic in his efforts to form a new players’ union.

Becker on the Big 3

“I think Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have a different agenda, they are creating history and they have a history also of not getting too involved in politics. A lot of people say that’s very smart. On the other hand, they are the two most famous faces we have in tennis, so ideally there should have been a unified decision but then you have a difference of opinion, and so I think that’s the reason why. Not everybody is the same, the interest of Federer is different to Nadal and from Nadal it’s different to Djokovic. I would like to see a unified ATP and WGA, a union; I don’t think we have that right now" - Boris Becker explained. The former World number 1 also reflected on Alexander Zverev: “I’m not surprised by his development. I’m just surprised that so many so-called experts always said that he never had a chance to win a grand slam, maybe they will bite their tongues now. It’s certainly a chance for him but everybody else that’s left in the tournament. People forget sometimes, he’s only 23, he’s still a very young player and he will develop and mature nicely, and he will have a number of chances to win in Grand Slams and he could start right here at the US Open, but I think every Grand Slam he’ll play now he is good to go.” Who is the favourite to win the US Open on the men’s side? “It’s a whole new ball game all of a sudden. The top favourite is out, everybody that’s left in the tournament never won a slam, so it’s a new situation for everybody left. It can be nerve-racking to have this once in a lifetime chance, let’s see who handles it best. I couldn’t give you one name in particular, I think everybody that’s left has to be considered.”

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3maF7kO