Australian Open: Nadal supports Kermode amid calls to have ATP boss removed

Rafael Nadal has issued a strong endorsement of ATP Tour boss Chris Kermode, whose tenure is under the spotlight.

Spain's Rafael Nadal believes ousting the boss of the ATP Tour would be a mistake

Rafael Nadal has issued a strong endorsement of ATP Tour boss Chris Kermode, whose tenure as president of the men’s tour is under the spotlight.

After defeating Australian James Duckworth 6-4 6-3 7-5 in a match that was entertaining given the contrast of styles, Nadal said he is yet to be consulted by the ATP Players Council, which is headed by Novak Djokovic.

It follows a similar admission from Roger Federer, who said on Sunday he was yet to discuss the reasons for the push to oust Kermode with fellow members of the Big Four, including Andy Murray.

It appears the potential move against Kermode, who has been the president and chief executive of the tour for five years, is polarising the players.

It has been reported there is a relatively even split among players, but Nadal joined Stan Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios in praising the job Kermode has done to date.

The 17-time grand slam champion, who will play the winner of a clash between Matt Ebden and Jan-Lennard Struff, said that sometimes it was better to have faith in the incumbent.

“When I was (on) the council, that was me. I had to go to the players and ask their opinions. It’s not my work anymore,” he said.

“By the way, if they want to read my opinion, I tell you. I believe in the projects as long term, not short term, as everybody knows in my life. And because of that, I believe that is not good to have changes all the time, because it is difficult to develop a good project of work if we have changes every three or four years. (It) is difficult.

“So I don’t know. I believe that Chris probably did some good work out there, and I don’t see him doing negative things or enough negative things to not continue in the position.”

Nadal said Kermode’s command of current events, as well as his long-term vision, were factors that needed to be considered before his playing peers voted on whether or not to change the man in charge.

Discontent as to the amount of prizemoney players receive when compared to the revenue that tournaments generate has been bubbling away for well over a year. While prizemoney continues to increase, there has actually been a decline in percentage when compared to the revenue earned at grand slam level.

Djokovic was at the forefront of discussions surrounding the need for players to consider a union ­separate to the ATP Tour in order to better plead their case.

While supportive of Kermode, Nadal said that he was disappointed that the tour had failed to offer any humanitarian assistance in regards to the floods that devastated his home city of Mallorca late last year.

The left-hander was on the ground providing physical and financial assistance, but was upset that the tour had failed to make any economic contribution.

“(It) didn’t happen in my case. I can’t be happy with that, but in terms of the president thing, I believe (it) will be good for the sport if (Kermode) continues,” he said.

Former Australian Open semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov also voiced his support for Kermode, describing any move against him as potentially disastrous.

“I think changing Chris Kermode would be one of the biggest mistakes,” he said.

“Tennis is in such a good place. Everything has gone through so many good and positive changes. I wouldn’t do that, absolutely.”