Gilles Simon uses Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s example to bash ATP’s resistance to make any changes for benefit of players

Simon shared his opinion on some important issues in the world of tennis.

Gilles Simon uses Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s example to bash ATP’s resistance to make any changes for benefit of players

L-R: Gilles Simon, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (Via X/Open Source)

Former French professional player Gilles Simon cited the example of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as he criticized the resistance to change showed by the ATP. Simon talked about his stint at the ATP Players’ Council and added that it’d be hard to bring about a change without a sense of unity among the players.

Speaking on Twitch streamer Rivenzi’s live broadcast of the first day of qualifying for the Rolex Paris Masters 2023, Simon remarked, 

The players need to understand this. I did a lot of ATP player council work, I did it really conscientiously, taking a lot of time, putting a lot of energy into it. I got advice from players that was sometimes very strong, with Federer and Nadal in it.
Gilles Simon (h/t : Tennis Legend)
YouTube video

The 38-year-old further criticized the ATP, saying that the players have not been able to bring about a change due to its disregard for their concerns. Calling the ATP a ‘one-way train’, Simon went on to accuse the ATP of hiding critical information from the players.

FS Video

Simon added that it doesn’t matter who’s heading the issue, saying that even Rafael Nadal isn’t big enough to bring about the change alone. 

Contrary to what is conveyed, they are there, they are working, but you can put whoever you want, Rafael Nadal is very small inside. He himself thinks he will succeed but everything is already compartmentalized. Even a player like that, he can't change things. If Federer and Nadal cannot change it, it is because it is not feasible.

Gilles Simon criticizes the duration of the Masters Tournament

The former World No.6 also criticized the 12-day Masters tournament saying that such a long tournament leads to a loss of interest from the viewers. Saying that he had a discussion with the ATP on the issue, the Frenchman accused the ATP of fooling the player on the benefits of such a tournament. 

Didn't like it (Masters 1000 over 12 days) at all. In addition, it was a fight that I had at the ATP and I know that the players were fooled on many other things, but the 12-day format, I didn't like because, Damn, this is a long one to follow. In fact, it tires you and when you do 12 days Madrid, 12 days Rome, you arrive at Roland, and the fact that Roland is almost in the same format, you say to yourself “There, I'm leaving for two weeks each time. 

Talking about the impact of these tournaments on the players, Simon said that it gets tiring for the players and makes the transition from one tournament to the other difficult.

paris masters
Paris Masters (Via Paris Masters)

The 38-year-old expressed hope that Novak Djokovic founded PTPA would be able to bring about the necessary change. Backing the association, Simon said that it hands the players the necessary leverage to negotiate with the ATP. Continuing his tirade against the ATP, Simon accused the ATP of negotiating with the tournaments on the basis of commercial benefits instead of players’.

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