Federer plays down preferential treatment talk

London, November 14: Roger Federer hit back at suggestions he received preferential treatment at the Australian Open.

Former French Open doubles champion Julien Benneteau had suggested Federer benefits from favourable scheduling, particularly at Melbourne Park in the past two years.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley responded in a lengthy statement, insisting that six-time winner Federer's "box office" stature is behind the scheduling of his matches.

win over Dominic Thiem at the ATP Finals

"I get asked, 'Would you like to play Monday or Tuesday?' sometimes. Sometimes I get asked, 'Do you want to play day or night?'" the 20-time grand slam champion told a news conference.

"Sometimes they go ask the agent. Sometimes they ask me, 'Agent wants you to play at night?' So, sometimes, we have our say.

Stop it, @rogerfederer 😱

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— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) November 13, 2018

"But I asked to play Monday at the US Open. I played Tuesday night. It's all good, you know. I've had that problem for 20 years – in a good way.

"Sometimes I get help, sometimes I don't and I think there you have it. Sometimes they come ask, sometimes they don't.

"A lot of the facts are not right, just to be clear there, from what I heard."