THE multimillionaire from Switzerland did not look like Arthur Scargill when he strolled into the US Open interview room.

He was not standing on a soap box, and he possessed neither megaphone nor placard. But the heady whiff of rebellion was in the air. Roger Federer, president of the ATP player council, had arrived directly from a mandatory players' meeting and a series of talks which had seriously raised the possibility of boycotting next year's Australian Open in protest at the percentage of the take from the four grand slam events which circulates down to the rank-and-file tour player.

The major events might counter by saying that they distribute their profits – the All England Club, for instance, passes on an annual surplus to the Lawn Tennis Association – but the players feel a fee in the region of £15,000 for first-round losers, who must pay all their travelling expenses, is insufficient.

It is outlandish to think January's grand slam at Melbourne Park will not proceed as planned, but it is believed the idea is far enough advanced for a replacement event to be envisaged in Dubai.

"It is not only the grand slam issue, but there are many other issues also pending," said Federer, the consummate politician. "We're working on these and trying to inform the players. I thought it was a good meeting. Obviously there are always going to be rumours flying, but as long as I am president of the player council what has been talked about is always going to stay behind closed doors."

The incident has made for a surreal backdrop to the world No.1's attempt to reclaim the title which he last won in 2008, a campaign which tonight begins with a night match against one-time US prodigy Donald Young.

After tough defeats –Federer lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the 2009 final, then squandered match points in the 2010 and 2011 semi-finals against Novak Djokovic – the 31-year-old fancies his chances of taking his 18th major title and ending the year as world No.1.

"This time around I feel like if I am playing well I can dictate who is going to win or lose," the Swiss said. "It is going to take something special from my opponent to win."

Convincingly beaten nine days ago by Federer in the Masters Tour event final in Cincinnati, Serb Novak Djokovic has a title to defend at Flushing Meadows, a world No.1 spot to try to regain, and a handy draw which could see him arrive in the final unmolested. His meeting with Paolo Lorenzi, the Italian ranked No.69 in the world, is due to be played tomorrow at the earliest. Another win here would mean that his 2012 had not been so bad after all.

"It's been a long season and a long summer, but my year has been really good," Djokovic said. "I feel physically stronger and more prepared than I did last year. Mentally I had some ups and downs throughout the season, but I think that was maybe expected.

"I feel the energy of this city, and I love playing in this tournament; in the last five years I have had lots of success. Twice I played finals, semi-finals, and won eventually the title in 2011, which was, you know, my third major of the year. It's an incredible feeling to come back to New York as defending champion. It's one of the most exciting cities in the world. You definitely can feel that – especially in the night matches that you play in front of a packed stadium."

Djokovic stonewalled comments by his first coach Jelena Gencic that he has some worry he is keeping to himself. "I'm sure she didn't mean any harm," he said. "I'm not gonna say anything about that because everybody has problems. But my problems are much smaller than an average person's problems. I cannot complain about my life."

But the superstars of world tennis may just be prepared to complain on the others' behalf.