Australian Open: Brayden Schnur attacks Federer and Nadal - "Roger and Rafa are a bit selfish"
The Canadian Brayden Schnur has sharply criticized Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for their behavior in dealing with the consequences of the bush fires. The 24-year-old described the two legends as "selfish" and would have liked more support.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jan 16, 2020, 01:44 pm
Actually, Brayden Schnur would have had every reason to be happy after his first round victory over the Austrian Sebastian Ofner in the qualification for the Australian Open. But the Canadian was in no mood to celebrate and let his frustration with the conditions in Melbourne run free.
"You feel an incredible dryness in your throat. This is not exactly normal. Players who have asthma now have a huge disadvantage," said Schnur. The conditions in Melbourne during the first two qualifying days were anything but optimal due to the bad air - the Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic even collapsed in her first round match on the pitch .
Federer and Nadal donate $ 250,000
This is not the only reason why the organizers insist that the weather and air conditions are constantly checked. But that's not enough for Schnur: the Canadian would have hoped for more support for the players, in particular from Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
It has to come from the top players.
Brayden cord
"It has to come from the top players - Roger and Rafa are a bit selfish and think about themselves and their careers," led the world ranking 103. out. However, in the course of the Rally for Relief, the Swiss and the Spaniard donated 250,000 Australian dollars to the victims of the devastating bush fires .
Explosive first round duel?
But Schnur would have expected help for the pros too. "They are close to the end of their careers and only think about their legacy in sport. But they do not think about the sport itself and what would be good for it - these people would have to go ahead," said the 24-year-old attacking the two legends of tennis.
Meanwhile, the Canadian has apologized for his verbal attack. "My words have been taken out of context and I want to clarify something. I articulated myself incorrectly when I described them as selfish. I would like to apologize to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Their services to the sport are remarkable," said Schnur know via Twitter.
For the 24-year-old and his colleagues, there is also improvement in sight for the further course of the tournament: In the coming days, the air conditions in Melbourne will be significantly better. And who knows, maybe the Canadian will face Federer or Nadal if there are two more victories in the main competition. Despite the Canadian's apology, it would be a match with additional explosiveness.
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