US Open Changes Not Pleasing To The ATP World Tour

Written by: Staff on 17th December 2012

US Open Changes Not Pleasing To The ATP World Tour

epa03393017 Andy Murray of Great Britain hits a return to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men's final match on the fifteenth day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 10 September 2012. The US Open has been extended a day for the fifth straight year due to weather. EPA/JASON SZENES |

The ATP World Tour is far from enamored by the United States Tennis Association’s attempt to pacify players’ complaints by extending the tournament, alleviating the demands of back-to-back semi finals and finals, and making a Monday night men’s final a permanent part of the schedule.

Late last week the USTA announced it will move the US Open’s women’s final to Sunday and men’s final to Monday in 2013, building in a guaranteed day of rest ahead of each title match for the first time.

For the last five years rain has meant the men’s final has been contested on a Monday and players have been campaigning for greater acceptance of their demands in scheduling for several years.

In addition the USTA also announced that total prize money in 2013 will jump $4m to a record $29.5m, showing the largest increase in the tournament’s history.

However the ATP World Tour is not content on either count. In a statement issued today, an unnamed ATP spokesman addressed the US Open schedule change and said: “By modifying the schedule to allow a rest day between the semi-finals and the final, the US Open has recognized the incredible physical demands of men’s tennis.

“However, the ATP and its players have made it clear to the US Open that we do not support a Monday final. We strongly believe the US Open should keep a similar schedule to the other Grand Slams, with the men’s semi-finals completed by Friday and the final on Sunday.

“It is unfortunate the US Open response did not reflect our views on this issue and the ATP and its players will continue to pursue this matter in its discussions with the USTA.”

Earlier USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said: “We listened to the players and understood we needed to accommodate their request for an extra day of rest between the semifinals and final.

“The USTA reached out to many of the top players, player agents as well as the respective tours. So far, everything has been fairly positive. The day of rest is being embraced across the board.

“Because of the nature of the game, and to assure a final that can be played at the highest competitive level, you need an extra day of rest. We recognized that.”

Then addressing the issue of prize money, the ATP World Tour maintained: “The increase announced by the US Open for 2013 is appreciated and, together with the 2012 increase, represents the largest increase by the US Open since the ATP Tour began in 1990. However, over the last nine months the ATP and its players have asked that the US Open fully recognize the fundamental role of the players in driving US Open revenues, which are the largest in our sport.

“The ATP therefore remains committed to continuing discussions on this issue, with the objective of ensuring that the players’ share of the revenues at the US Open truly reflects the value that they generate for the event.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Atp, Atp World Tour, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, US Open 2013, Usta