Australian Open 2012: Rafael Nadal Should Not Apologize for Dispute with Federer

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are good friends who are consistently among the top competitors of nearly every tennis tournament they enter.

Unsurprisingly, they tend to have the same opinion on many things concerning the men’s game and the tour.

That's why it is such a shock that they publicly disagreed this week.

According to Caroline Cheese, a sportswriter for the Associated Press, Nadal was critical of Federer’s unwillingness to address issues in a public forum that many players feel are hurting the game.

The big problems that Nadal and other players feel are hampering the game include prize money at the four Grand Slam tournaments and the length of the season.

Nadal grew frustrated when his friend would not support their cause and a possible strike was brought up at a meeting on Saturday, the second time in six months that this has been threatened.

The Spaniard is relenting on his harsh words against his friend, but still is maintaining his personal opinion, that change must take place.

Cheese reported he said,

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“I always had fantastic relationship with Roger. I still have fantastic relationship with Roger. Just I said we can have different views about how the tour needs to work. That’s all.”

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Nikolay Davydenko also questioned the Swiss legend’s stubbornness on taking a stand.

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“I don’t know why Roger is not supporting the players,” Davydenko said. “Because he don’t want … any problems. He’s nice guy. He’s winning Grand Slams. He’s from Switzerland. He’s perfect.”

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The players will meet once more before the Indian Wells Masters tournament in March to see if any changes are taking place and will possibly decide on a more serious course of action than just words if necessary.

Hopefully, for the sake of the sport and unity amongst players, Federer decides to join Nadal and the others in their quest to reform professional tennis.