Tennis: Officials deny rolling out the 'Fed Carpet' for Roger
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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Australian Open officials have denied any bias towards Roger Federer after he was allowed to play most of his matches in the same evening slot on the centre court, reports said on Wednesday.
Tournament director Craig Tiley dismissed notions of favouritism after British media reported disquiet in the camp of Scotland's Andy Murray, who has played all his matches in the afternoon heat and also had to switch courts each time.
Federer has played four of his five matches in the primetime TV evening slot at Rod Laver Arena, the tournament's centre court. The semi-finals and final will also be played in the evening.
He has also been seen practising at Rod Laver Arena before his matches, with Melbourne's Herald Sun tabloid saying officials had rolled out the "Fed Carpet" for the four-time champion.
