Federer cautious over 7-week offseason
Source: Agencies |
November 23, 2010, Tuesday
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ROGER Federer gave a cautious thumbs up on Sunday to the ATP's decision to shorten the men's calendar by two weeks from 2012.
ATP chief Adam Helfant announced in London that a seven-week offseason had been agreed to placate some of the world's top players who believe the current schedule is too long.
The Swiss 16-time grand slam champion was not one of the players calling for more time off but said he was happy enough with the decision taken at a board meeting on Saturday.
"I think it's a good thing but time will tell," the 29-year-old said of the move which will mean the ATP's season-ending showpiece will start in the first week of November in 2012, immediately after the Paris Masters.
"It's a decision taken. It's in stone now. I think it's good to have somewhat of a bit of a longer off season."
"Will we have less or more injuries because the calendar is more packed? I don't know. But I definitely think it's a step in the right direction."
Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal have both called for more of an offseason, although Federer said the current calendar had worked well for him.
"I was not the guy fighting it as much as maybe other players because I feel if the season's long, you take more breaks during the season," he said. "But I think just having a bit more of an offseason makes more sense for everybody."
Helfant, who took over in 2009 and has made athlete welfare his priority, said the extra time off would allow players to recover from injuries and compete at higher level for longer. "Our 2012 and 2013 calendars each provide for the seven-week off season, meaning that players will have an additional two weeks to spend away from the rigors of life on tour before taking up the cause again the following year," he said.
ATP chief Adam Helfant announced in London that a seven-week offseason had been agreed to placate some of the world's top players who believe the current schedule is too long.
The Swiss 16-time grand slam champion was not one of the players calling for more time off but said he was happy enough with the decision taken at a board meeting on Saturday.
"I think it's a good thing but time will tell," the 29-year-old said of the move which will mean the ATP's season-ending showpiece will start in the first week of November in 2012, immediately after the Paris Masters.
"It's a decision taken. It's in stone now. I think it's good to have somewhat of a bit of a longer off season."
"Will we have less or more injuries because the calendar is more packed? I don't know. But I definitely think it's a step in the right direction."
Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal have both called for more of an offseason, although Federer said the current calendar had worked well for him.
"I was not the guy fighting it as much as maybe other players because I feel if the season's long, you take more breaks during the season," he said. "But I think just having a bit more of an offseason makes more sense for everybody."
Helfant, who took over in 2009 and has made athlete welfare his priority, said the extra time off would allow players to recover from injuries and compete at higher level for longer. "Our 2012 and 2013 calendars each provide for the seven-week off season, meaning that players will have an additional two weeks to spend away from the rigors of life on tour before taking up the cause again the following year," he said.
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