The ATP extends off-season by two weeks from 2012
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has agreed to lengthen the tour's off-season to seven weeks starting 2012 following lobbying efforts by the ATP Player Council.
With the current season running from the start of the Australian Open in January until the conclusion of the ATP World Tour Finals in late November, many players have argued for a longer off-season to allow for more extensive recuperation from the Tour's
hectic schedule.
Ahead of the start of this year's ATP Finals, the ATP came to an agreement that will shorten the Tour by two weeks after next season, giving players seven weeks to recover before the tournament in Australia.
"There's a consensus that the players need a longer break," said Adam Helfant, executive chairman of the ATP Tour.
The scheduling changes mean there will be no break between the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals from 2012.
The completion of the ATP Finals line-up could therefore be left as late as the day before the start of the tournament, which will be pushed back to the Monday immediately following the final in Paris.
"I'm happy to say that these new calendars and the expanded off-season reflect the broad consensus among our members that the players, and really the sport as a whole, needed a longer break," Helfant added. "It didn't take long to find that consensus."
Federer supports the changes
Among the proponents of a longer break has been world number two Roger Federer, the influential president of the Council.
"I think it's good to have a longer off-season," the Swiss said about the developments. "I definitely think it's a step in the right direction. But only time will tell. Will we have less or more injuries because the calendar is more packed? I don't know."
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