Rafael Nadal refused to be drawn Tuesday over any potential meeting between players in Shanghai this week to discuss the punishing demands of the tennis schedule.
America’s Andy Roddick said Monday that Shanghai Masters no-shows from world number one Novak Djokovic and 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer were stark evidence of the toll put on players by heavy playing commitments.
It followed comments from Britain’s Andy Murray last month that he had held several talks with other players at the US Open and they would be discussing the issue in Shanghai, though he said Tuesday there had been no developments.
“There is something there, but is not the right moment to talk about it, especially when nothing clear is done,” Nadal said.
“Always is better to talk about the things when you know exactly what’s going to happen and when you know exactly what we are going to do,” he added.
But the Spanish world number two said there was broad agreement among players over the issue.
“I am in touch always with the rest of the players. You know, I talked a lot with a lot of players last month. We’ll see what we can do.”
“The important thing is that, yes, I can say because I’m sure we are, most of us, almost everyone, in the same way. So like this we have power. Now we’ll have to keep finding what we really want for the future and make that happen if possible.”
World number four Murray said the players would try to set up a meeting before the end of the year but he sought to play down the issue.
“The players haven’t met. The players will try and meet. When we do, you know, then I think it’s really between the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and the ITF (International Tennis Federation) to try and come to an agreement,” he said.
“And until something’s kind of done in writing or there’s been any discussions, there’s not really any point in saying anything because it just starts speculation.”
“I think the tour is in a great place just now. But it’s basically just a matter of like two or three weeks in the year that really I think need to change,” Murray added.
Roddick said players were still fired up over the issue and insisted Federer and Djokovic were “only a phone call away” but he was unsure what would happen in Shanghai.
The American also raised the issue of the proportion of revenue that goes to tennis players, saying it was significantly lower at the US Open than in the NBA.
But Murray said he was happy with tennis earnings.
“I think going into earnings is silly because we make a lot of money and we’re very lucky to be earning the money we do. I’m hoping most of the players love playing tennis, as well,” he said.
