Roger Federer has rejected suggestions senior players on the tour could do more to represent the interests of lower-ranked players, revealing he approached tournament officials on Tuesday to query the decision to start the qualifying rounds as smoke hung over the city.

He said communication to players had not been at the level required and he made it clear to officials they wanted a better indication of what was behind the decision to play.

Smoke clouds the Melbourne skyline and the site of the Australian Open during the week. Credit:AAP

"I was in the office that day to ask what's the situation? Like I explained to you guys, everybody is told to be inside, and we're having court calls. How far are we from that threshold of playing, not playing?" Federer said.

"I said 'I think we are all confused. Is it super unsafe or is it totally safe to play?'"