ROGER FEDERER and Rafa Nadal were branded “selfish” — despite donating £132,000 to the Australian bushfire appeal.
Players again slammed the “dangerous” air pollution levels in Melbourne yesterday, while Victoria’s health chief urged Australian Open organisers to revamp their air quality policy.
Then Canada’s Brayden Schnur accused tennis legends Federer and Nadal of failing to speak up for the qualifiers who played in the smog, with the main event due to start on Monday.
World No103 Schnur, who won his first-round qualifier, blasted: “It’s got to come from the top guys — Roger and Rafa are a little selfish in thinking about themselves and their careers.
“All they are thinking about is their legacy, they’re not thinking about the sport itself and trying to do what’s good for the sport — so those guys need to step up.”
Slovenia’s Dalila Jakupovic retired from her qualifying match on Tuesday after collapsing during a coughing fit.
Victoria’s chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said: “Tennis Australia needs to work up an air quality policy.”
Schnur’s outburst came after Federer, Nadal and other tennis stars played a fundraising exhibition under the Rod Laver Arena’s closed roof yesterday.
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Qualifying was called off due to the smoke and much-needed rain.
Tennis has so far raised more than £2.5million for the appeal. And Nadal said: “I was talking with Roger and we decided to give A$250,000 (£132k) to the bushfire relief.
“Hopefully that will keep inspiring people to support this appeal.”
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