..:: ARTICLES ::..

Safin Calls for Tennis Schedule Changes
April 20, 2004
(Reuters)

Marat Safin called for changes to the tennis schedule, saying Tuesday that players are burned out and big tournaments will suffer.

"Players have too much tennis," the 2000 U.S. Open (news - web sites) champion said after beating Olivier Rochus 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the Monte Carlo Masters. "If you want the best players, you have to give them time to prepare."

Safin pointed out that Andy Roddick pulled out of the Monte Carlo event Monday, a day after lost in the final of the U.S. Clay Court Championships in Houston.

Roddick would have had to "fly overnight from Houston, then play on clay the next day?" Safin said. "He's lucky if he puts two balls in the court."

The winning doubles team in Houston, James Blake and Mardy Fish, also pulled out of the Monte Carlo tournament. Top-ranked Roger Federer and Andre Agassi withdrew earlier.

"There has to be a solution," Safin said. "But the players are always playing, so they don't have time to sit down with the ATP organizers and arrange something. Tennis is a beautiful game, it would be a pity to spoil it."


Scheduling the problem
April 20, 2004
Eurosport

A list of big-name absentees at this week's Monte Carlo Masters is the result of an unrealistic and gruelling schedule, Marat Safin said on Tuesday. The Russian, who missed most of last season through injury, said events burn players out mentally and physically which is why so many stay away from the principality.

World number one Roger Federer, number two Andy Roddick and America's world number five Andre Agassi all chose to miss the $2.89 million event despite it being such good preparation for next month's French Open.

"If you want to have all the best players in the world coming to Monte Carlo you need to give players some time to recover, to prepare, so they can give their best," Safin said after beating Olivier Rochus 4-6 6-3 6-3.

"Players try but they're coming from indoor tournaments or they're coming from Miami, which ended a tough month because you were playing in Indian Wells, you've been playing Scottsdale... all of a sudden you end up in Monte Carlo.

"A TAXI"

"Of course, if you lose one of these matches you lose confidence... then it's already Rome... Hamburg... then the French Open. Basically, you end up with more kilometres than a taxi.

"There is always a reason for not moving tournaments, changing the schedule. It is always 'because, because, because'... but or because'. Nobody ever agrees - it is difficult.

"After a while you can get burned out completely. The schedule is so tight.

"Take for example Roddick. He is playing in Houston and then he has to fly overnight and play in Monte Carlo the next day - if he's lucky he could put two balls in the court.

"Federer, also, he needs more time to prepare.

"Something must be done."



| back to top |

| More Articles |