ATP Extends Off-Season in 2012
Finally, with some creativity and diplomacy, the ATP has finally announced plans to expand the off-season from five to seven weeks starting in 2012 and continuing in 2013. This solution was amazingly achieved without having to reduce the number of
tournaments, although there will be some schedule shifting. There will no longer be a week off before the year-end ATP World Tour Finals and four tournaments currently at the end of the season will be moved to earlier in the year, i.e. Montpellier (to the week of February 4th), Bucharest (week of April 22nd), Vienna (week of October 14th) and St. Petersburg (week of September 16th).
Clearly, this is a big win for the players who had complained about the length of the season for years. At the same time, all of the tournaments stayed on the calendar so that was a win for the tournaments as well. Some tournament directors had asked that the top players to agree not to play exhibitions during the off-season, but the players were not required to agree to that in the final plan. This was the right move because many players participate in charitable events during the November, December "off-season". At the same time, some also play some lucrative exhibitions and they should have that option because their careers are short and they need to maximize their earnings. It's up to these players to decide on the trade-off between rest, practice and exhibitions during the off-season. In addition, as Andy Roddick pointed out, a one-night exhibition is less taxing than a week-long tournament.
In the end, it's all a balancing act for the players in terms of rest, practice and tournament play as they strive to be fit, mentally fresh and match tough. A couple extra weeks for the players will definitely help them achieve the right balance and that in turn will lead to more inspired play and better tennis for the fans!
Clearly, this is a big win for the players who had complained about the length of the season for years. At the same time, all of the tournaments stayed on the calendar so that was a win for the tournaments as well. Some tournament directors had asked that the top players to agree not to play exhibitions during the off-season, but the players were not required to agree to that in the final plan. This was the right move because many players participate in charitable events during the November, December "off-season". At the same time, some also play some lucrative exhibitions and they should have that option because their careers are short and they need to maximize their earnings. It's up to these players to decide on the trade-off between rest, practice and exhibitions during the off-season. In addition, as Andy Roddick pointed out, a one-night exhibition is less taxing than a week-long tournament.
In the end, it's all a balancing act for the players in terms of rest, practice and tournament play as they strive to be fit, mentally fresh and match tough. A couple extra weeks for the players will definitely help them achieve the right balance and that in turn will lead to more inspired play and better tennis for the fans!
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