World No. 2 Rafael Nadal said that he and long-time rival Roger Federer made a joint decision to stand for the ATP Player Council.
The 33-year-old Spaniard, an 18-time Grand Slam singles winner, confirmed the choice by the pair of icons at the ATP Montreal Masters.
Federer, a 20-time Slam singles champion, and Nadal were elected by fellow players to fill two of the vacancies caused by the resignations of Robin Haase, Jamie Murray and Sergiy Stakhovsky prior to Wimbledon.
“We decided to be together out there,” Nadal said. “I will not be alone there. He will not be alone there. Both of us can (combine to) be a good power, good help for the sport in some way — hopefully in a better way.
“We are here to help and to know a little bit better what’s going on. Last year there were some ups and downs in a lot of things.”
Controversy has arisen over the past months concerning various issues, with ATP Council president Novak Djokovic often on the opposite side of discussions from Nadal and Federer.
