Roger Federer wants a longer off-season on the ATP Tour
World number two Roger Federer has called for a longer break between the end and restart of the ATP Tour.
At present, players are given a four-week break between the conclusion of the ATP World Tour Finals in November and the start of the Australian Open in January.
Federer, who is scheduled to partake in the ATP Finals, which get underway on 21 November at London's O2 Arena, said a six-week break would do the players on the Tour good after spending the better part of their year traveling on the Tour.
"Obviously some tournaments have to be a little bit flexible. I think over the years we’ve lost a couple of weeks here and there because of some reasons," the Swiss told reporters ahead of his first game at the Paris Masters on Wednesday, 10 November. "It’s
time that we shifted back a bit and we get a proper off-season."
Wants six-week break
Some have argued that the ATP Tour should end after the US Open in September, but Federer said that while the seasons should be shortened, the Asian tournaments that take place in October cannot be overlooked.
"I think we had the top 20 [at the Shanghai Open in October], so Asia is becoming stronger and stronger and more important for tennis as well. Many guys who had a disappointing US Open, they can make it up in the fall. That’s what’s nice about a long season.
It never gets boring," said Federer before stressing that a four-week break inhibits preparations for the next season.
"Four weeks is just not an off-season, really. Six weeks I think is much better, you can take two weeks off, practise for four weeks, which is a lot for us in our world. I hope tournaments understand it’s in their best interest, as well."
Federer, who is president of the ATP Player Council, is expected to lobby the body to extend the off-season after the ATP Finals in London.
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