Novak Djokovic SLAMMED after Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal voice concerns
NOVAK DJOKOVIC is rightly feeling the brunt of the criticism from Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, according to Stan Wawrinka.
Novak Djokovic REFUSES to speak about ATP chief’s future
Djokovic, president of the player council, has been called out this week after players were told of a surprise vote taking place at the end of the month to oust ATP Tour chief Chris Kermode.
Federer and Nadal were surprised that they had not been consulted over the move and put the onus on the council to ask the opinion of the top players.
World No 2 Nadal was frustrated with Djokovic and insisted the Serbian must be the one making the effort to contact other stars.
Wawrinka, a long-term friend of Djokovic, sided with Federer and Nadal as he ranted about the proposal.
The Swiss star was asked if the scrutiny of Djokovic is unfair and he replied: “No, I think he’s also the president of the council.
“He’s the No 1 player. He’s the best player into this council. So for sure, if you look, he’s at the head of the sport there.
“But again, I think there’s for sure a lot of talk going on.
“I’m pretty sure nothing happen here, so that’s mean there is also some stuff that are putting on stand, and that’s everybody can think about it.
“We will see. I think we can only see what’s going to happen in the next few months.”
Wawrinka also expressed his shock that the world No 1 had not touched base with Nadal.
“For sure I was surprised that Rafa didn’t know about it,” he added. “That shows the situation, how difficult it is right now.
“But, again, as I say now, there’s a lot of thing that came out in the press.”
Wawrinka, Federer and Nadal are all keen to see Kermode retain his position as the CEO.
But Djokovic feels the tour needs a change in direction.
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Order of play - Friday
ROD LAVER ARENA
15-Ashleigh Barty (Australia) v Maria Sakkari (Greece)
Not before 0200 GMT
Taylor Fritz (U.S.) v 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland)
Not before 0430 GMT
30-Maria Sharapova (Russia) v 3-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
Not before 0800 GMT
27-Alex de Minaur (Australia) v 2-Rafa Nadal (Spain)
Kimberly Birrell (Australia) v 2-Angelique Kerber (Germany)
MARGARET COURT ARENA
14-Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) v 19-Nikoloz Basilashvili (Georgia)
Amanda Anisimova (U.S.) v 11-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
5-Sloane Stephens (U.S.) v 31-Petra Martic (Croatia)
Not before 0800 GMT
Danielle Collins (U.S.) v 19-Caroline Garcia (France)
6-Marin Cilic (Croatia) v 26-Fernando Verdasco (Spain)
MELBOURNE ARENA
Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) v 18-Diego Schwartzman (Argentina)
Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Belarus) v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia)
20-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) v Thomas Fabbiano (Italy)
Not before 0600 GMT
8-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) v Belinda Bencic (Switzerland)