Melbourne, Jan. 16 : Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal has criticized fellow Grand Slam champion Roger Federer for failing to back a players' campaign to change the way tennis is organized and played.

Tennis players around the world have been demanding a reduction in the number of tournaments that they have to participate in and more cash from Grand Slams.

A players' meeting before the Australian Open discussed possible strike action, the Daily Mail reports.

Nadal has accused Federer of staying silent to protect his "gentleman" reputation.

"For him it's good to say nothing. Everything positive. `It's all well and good for me, I look like a gentleman,' and the rest can burn themselves," said Nadal.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Nadal said that the 16-time grand slam title winner (Federer) should be doing more to support growing complaints over the professional tour.

The world No. 2 Spaniard believes Federer, who is president of the ATP Player Council, needs to back the top players'' complaints.

"We each have our opinion and perhaps he likes the circuit. I like it too and it is better than the majority of sports. But that does not mean it can''t be better and that things which are bad cannot be changed," said Nadal.

"I speak positively about tennis because I have lived experiences that never in my life could I have dreamed, but to finish your career with pain in all parts of the body is not positive," he added. (ANI)