'RAFA VERY CORRECT'

Courtesy of Jai Bednall of News.com.au 

The following is part of a report by Jai Bednall which highlights the issues that World Tennis faces currently. As someone suggested, Roger Federer can pick and choose what he plays now days whereas others have to keep playing busy schedules to be able to afford to live.

Perhaps Grand Slam matches until the Round of 16 could go back to best of three which would in fact keep players fresher until the business end of the tournament. It used to be like that in the good old days.

Best of 5 on a hard court is career shortening though the ATP really couldn't give a shit as it's all about prime time viewing slots and sponsorship dollars that the format generates.

“Somebody who is running the tour should think little bit about what’s going on,” Nadal said.

“Too many people getting injured. I don’t know if they have to think a little bit about the health of the players. Not for now that we are playing, but there is life after tennis.

“I don’t know if we keep playing in this very, very hard surfaces what’s going to happen in the future with our lives.”

Nadal didn’t directly refer to the jam-packed tennis schedule but others were happy to continue the conversation.

There’s little doubt Federer, the 19-time grand slam winner, is benefiting from the reduced schedule he adopted when injuries were threatening to end his time as a legitimate major contender in 2016.

Other players don’t enjoy the luxury of being able to pick and choose which tournaments they play in, because they need the points and the prizemoney on offer.

So is it time for change?

There’s been a push in some sections of the tennis media to reduce men’s singles matches at grand slams from five sets to three.

Interesting debate this one however I believe the best of three idea at Slams should seriously be looked at as the obvious question is this;

Women get paid the same as Men to play Grand Slam matches so way too much focus has been on the Women to play best of 5 sets to 'earn' their dollars as much as the Men.

So let's go the other way.

Reduce the Men to best of 3 until the Quarters. It won't just then be Roger Federer who benefits from not playing much in the lead up to most big events now days. All Men will then be fresher for the initial rounds and rather than just reward the 'grinders', it will also reward the 'shot makers' and entertainers like Monfils.

World Tennis needs to look outside the square and look after the players more.......