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[TheMadHatter]

I'm probably being thick, but wouldn't Rafa have to play all the Masters? I thought they were compulsory unless a player is 30 or over?

They are, apart from Monte Carlo. I'm sure Rafa could find a way. If it means extending his career, can you see the ATP really opposing him?

[TheMadHatter]

Well, no, I don't, when you look at it like that. The problem I have with it is that it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, the idea of one rule for some and another for everyone else.

The thing that strikes me about it is credibility. I mean, I know Rafa has won 11 slams. He doesn't have to care what anyone thinks. But isn't it a credibility issue for him with the other players, if it comes to a point that Rafa has to cut his schedule down to the point where he is playing on virtually nothing but clay? In that circumstance, if I was him, I think I'd be inclined to think enough is enough.

Indeed, but such is the way with sport. The governing bodies will look after those that bring them the most revenue. Bias and corruption everywhere, maybe less so in tennis than certain other sports (football, for one).

I agree, but who knows what goes through his mind. The lure of another Slam can be quite appealing. Federer continues to desperately try to win another one, despite only reaching two finals (winning one) in the last three years.

[Emma Jean]

Nadal is complaining about a lot of things upon return. Apparently he's not happy with the way Brazil is shaping up.

===============================================

World No. 5 Rafael Nadal has come out on Wednesday with some scathing remarks towards the organisers of the Brasil Open, a tournament which is a part of the ATP World Tour 250 Series.

"It is unacceptable that a tournament is held in these conditions. The bounce of the ball is too irregular, the lines are falling off and the balls are far too soft. You can not have any long rallies here."

Nadal followed that up with a critique of the ATP.

"This situation is a consequence of the ATP's lack of worry for the players. These courts are bad for the health of the players and I hope someone will take action against this. The audience wants to see long matches and on these kinds of courts that is impossible without injuries, no?"

When asked about the state of his knee, Nadal was cautiously optimistic.

"My knee feels a bit better today. Of course, it still changes from day to day, some day it's better, some day it's worse. All I can do is see how things go and I hope the injury will not cause me to lose matches I could win."

He assured the Brazilian journalists that his qualms were with the São Paulo tournament only.

"I love playing in Brazil and I am already looking forward to the Olympics in Rio. I just think that this tournament has had some problems with the organisation, but my team and I are going to talk to the organisers and see if it can be fixed."

[Emma Jean]

I have a lot of sympathy for Rafa right now. Of course, my best interests are always with Andy but Nadal has been the saviour all this time and Nole to a lesser extent. Can never dislike these two players in the true sense. Occasionally I get mad at them but I never dislike them. Quite the contrary in fact. Federer fans are milking it right now. The full match (vs Zebellos) has been posted on a few forums and all by Federer fans. Doesn’t surprise me one bit. I hope he keeps it quite though and let his racquet do all the talking.  It will take some time to make the full comeback and he should just accept it.

[Elly]

Oh dear, sounds like Nadal is having a bad day. To be honest, I have some sympathy at the moment. Coming back must be tough, especially if the knee still isn't right. However, if he continues to moan and carp about tournaments, playing conditions, which are the same for everyone, etc, my sympathy will run out very quickly.

It's a pity he's having to do this, but I guess it must be hard to come to terms with.  One day you're invincible, the next you're struggling to keep up.  Never going to be an easy thing to come to terms with. Don't expect him not to be mardy about it.  If he was a losing time culprit - the umpires should have enforced the rule - not his fault.

[Elly]

Djokovic complained during the Davis Cup about the courts. These top players are starting to piss me off with their opinions on tournaments. If its not to their liking get them to go out there and relay the courts etc. Not the people who have to spend weeks on end trying to make the tournament perfect. Arrogant fools.

Yup - I agree - heads so far up their own arses, they could see daylight.  Thank goodness for Andy!

[Katie]

But if the courts are bad, shouldn't the top players speak out? Apparently the courts in Belgium were worked on overnight after Djoko complained. Just following one twitter trail this evening I found  these comments:

I agree Elena - I think if there are any problems with the courts, then the players have the right to bring it up. Rafa's bound to be especially cautious about injury at the moment as well. I read that the court in Sao Paulo is in poor condition because it was converted to hard court for Federer's Gillette tour and so the clay hasn't had as long to settle in as it usually does.

Interesting twitter comments there - sorry to hear about Ruben Ramirez-Hildago's fall. If it's dangerous, then the court definitely needs to be looked at and improved if possible. I seem to remember that Rafa did raise concerns about the courts at MC last year, along with other players.