Roddick: Players May Discuss Union In Shanghai
By: James Waterson
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Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
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(October 10, 2011) Despite Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic’s absence from this week’s Shanghai Rolex Masters, Andy Roddick said the players may still meet this week to discuss their grievances with the schedule and the possibility of a union.
Since the US Open, Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have been the most vocal in their criticisms of the ATP and ITF, saying the schedule needed to be changed to allow more rest time for the players.
The three players have proposed a union structure similar to other sports, and Murray added that some of the top players weren’t afraid to strike if necessary.
"It's a possibility. I know from speaking to some players they're not afraid of doing that. Let's hope it doesn't come to that but I'm sure the players will consider it,” Murray said on Sept. 29. "If we come up with a list of things we want changed, and everyone is in agreement but they don't happen, then we need to have some say in what goes on in our sport. At the moment we don't.”
All along, the players have maintained that they will meet at the Shanghai Masters to discuss future action. Roddick said although neither Federer nor Djokovic are in China, the meeting may still happen because they “are just a phone call away.”
Having the voice of all of the top players is important because nothing will be done without a unified voice, he explained.
"You have to have a voice in order to get it accomplished," the American said. "Whatever our
individual interests are and what we want changed, nothing is going to happen unless we're on the same page."
Federer lost in the semifinals of the US Open and immediately flew to Australia to play three matches for his country in Davis Cup less than a week later. Djokovic had to retire in the fourth rubber of Serbia’s semifinal against Argentina because of a back injury he acquired in the US Open final.
"They don't get their money this week," he said. "Obviously, if they were feeling well and they weren't worn down, then they would (be here). We're not getting away with anything by pulling out of tournaments. I feel like that's the way it's presented sometimes. That's just not the case."