Tennis chiefs shorten finals in overhaul

J-man · Tennis chiefs shorten finals in overhaul

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Shanghai - Tennis chiefs on Saturday said they would shorten finals at 11 tournaments and test round-robin formats next year as part of a major overhaul of the men's circuit.

The ATP also announced more Sunday starts, bigger prize-money and a multi-million dollar marketing fund to build the sport's profile, along with greater use of the "Hawkeye" video umpire.

Best-of-five set finals at Barcelona, Basel, Gstaad, Kitzbuhel, Stuttgart and Vienna, and at the Masters Series events in Hamburg, Madrid, Monte Carlo, Paris and Rome will be cut to best-of-three for easier TV scheduling and to reduce strain on players.

Round-robins, where each player plays everyone in his group, will be tested in three different formats at selected events.

ATP president Etienne de Villiers consulted the top eight players on the changes here on Friday ahead of the season-ending Masters Cup.

"We've moved in the right direction this past year and there is a lot of potential to improve the game of tennis even more for players, tournaments and fans," said Ivan Ljubicic, president of the ATP Player Council and a competitor here.

"For sure there will be challenging times ahead for all of us and we may not necessarily agree, but I am optimistic from the discussions we've had with the leadership of the ATP that we will do what's beneficial for the game."

The round-robin test, which will guarantee fans the chance to see their favourite players more than once, drew immediate fire from world number one Roger Federer.

"I'm not so happy about the round robins but it's a test, we'll have to see how it goes," Federer said.

Prize money will be increased across the board for the first time since 2000 and the Hawkeye system, allows players to challenge line calls, will be used for the first time at the Australian Open, the Indian Wells and Miami Masters and the Masters Cup.

Player burn-out has been a constant source of debate, most recently at last week's Paris Masters where the withdrawal of several top players angered organisers.

"I don't think it's good that nobody of the top five played in Paris so we have to look at it," Federer said. "But sometimes players are just exhausted, like I was, or injured."

Benchwarmer1

well, there's an old saying that says "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

PSALT

x.doublea

Well, what's ironic about this round robin system is that everyone must play at least two/three matches per tournament. In a regular tournament, half the draw plays only one match. This means, if the RR system ends up being used at all tournaments, then the average will actually be playing more matches. Isn't that what they don't want? A burn out?

dav6789

Good point x.doublea. I don't really approve of this round-robin system, I think it's just to protect the top players. It is very good at the YEC because I want to see the top players playing everyone, but at the regular tournaments a player should not be allowed to win it if they have lost. I also think taking away the best of 5 sets finals is a bad idea. I look forward to the best of 5 set matches as they aren't around as much. This is just going to make them a bit boring.

J-man

x.doublea

My major problem with this system is that it makes tennis a non-elimination sport. Sports like tennis are special because it's based on a 'win or you're out' type of philisophy. Now, with this RR system, players can afford to lose matches and still have a chance to win the tournament. Yes, perhaps that's fair for a YEC, but for a regular tournament? I don't think so....