Federer, Nadal Re-elected To ATP Player Council

© Getty ImagesRoger Federer and Rafael Nadal will continue to serve on the ATP Player Council.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have been elected for another two-year term on the ATP Player Council. The world’s top two players, who were first voted onto the Council by their peers in June 2008, join Chilean Fernando Gonzalez and American Sam Querrey as the Top 1-50 ranked singles representatives.

“I think we are doing a good job representing the players,” said Federer. “We have a lot of guys in the room and we touch on all the subjects for all players. It has been successful these two years. We have someone good at the top with Adam Helfant, and I’d like to continue supporting and giving back.

“I want to try and leave the game better off than when I started. I guess I would feel disappointed if I just left the game and never took an active part in trying to change it for the better. There are so many issues to talk about and instead of being on the sideline and being critical, it is nice to be part of the process. I’d like to have an active role in the future of this wonderful game.”

Along with Federer and Nadal, the following individuals comprise the 2010-2012 ATP Player Council:
1-50 singles ranking: Roger Federer, Fernando Gonzalez, Rafael Nadal, Sam Querrey
51-100 singles ranking: Peter Luczak, Jarkko Nieminen
1-100 doubles ranking: Eric Butorac, Nenad Zimonjic
At-large: Yves Allegro, Ashley Fisher
Coach: Claudio Pistolesi
Alumni: Ignacio Hirigoyen

Federer served as President during the 2008-2010 term while Nadal served as Vice President, and the 28-year-old Swiss said of working with the current World No. 1: “We are opponents on court but we work well in a room setting and I hope this dedication trickles down to the other players and the next generation.”

He added: “I also came through Satellites, Futures, Challengers, maybe not as much time as some guys but I really do care about all the players on the tour. Top guys play a huge role in the game, but it is important to have a balance. We have all kinds of players represented in the Council and we can put our minds together to come up with the best possible plan for the Tour.”

The 2010-2012 ATP Player Council also includes the circuit’s top doubles player, Serbian Nenad Zimonjic, who will be serving his first term. “I think is important to have high ranked doubles players that are in the last instances of the big tournaments to be part of the group,” said the 34 year old. “It is important to communicate well with other players so we can improve. It’s going to be a new experience for me and I hope I can help.”

Querrey, another new addition to the group, said: “I am excited to be in the Council. First meeting at the US Open. Is a great group of guys at the top with Roger, Rafa, Fernando and the rest of the guys that should be good to work with. I come with no expectations. I will learn as I go along and look to put forward ideas.”

Meanwhile, Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen looked ahead to playing an active role in the ATP Player Council. “I have many ideas and any thoughts other players have I will try to bring them up at the meetings because they voted me in,” he said. “It will be very interesting to see the game from the other side. It’s something different and I am looking forward to working on issues and improving the game. Hopefully I can do some good work.”