Djokovic Dreams Of The Perfect Tennis Calendar

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 18th March 2014

Djokovic Dreams Of The Perfect Tennis Calendar

epa04125807 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns to Julien Benneteau of France at the BNP Paribas Open tennis in Indian Wells, California, USA, 14 March 2014. Djokovic defeated Benneteau and advances to the semi-finals. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Novak Djokovic is dreaming of the perfect tennis calendar – which he admits will almost surely never be realized.

“In an ideal world, Australian Open can start three, four weeks later. Having one of the four grand slams right at the start of the season is a little bit too early,” said the Serb of the January major. “But I have a sense that people are just too afraid of going towards some rational changes or improvements or just something that they are always afraid it can disturb the history and the culture that this sport possesses.”

Djokovic feels that the alphabet soup of sanctioning bodies in the sport may be holding back innovation after decades of inertia. “In tennis, the structure is so complicated that it’s very difficult to achieve something; you have to go through a different governing body, in different organizations.

“We belong to ATP, but then there are grand slams and there is ITF and there is WADA (drug testing) and there is – I think – too many organizations. For people outside of tennis it’s also complicated to follow that up and really understand what’s going on. I think we have to make it more simple in order for this sport to grow.”

The Serb admits that meaningful change remains highly unlikely. “There is always going to be an excuse or somebody coming up with a reason, and then it’s just too complex. I think that there has to be a certain strong stand, somebody who’s going to represent the players’ rights and see what we can do for players to feel good.

“But on the other hand (there is a need) also for tournaments to survive and to do well.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Itf, Novak Djokovic, Tennis, Tennis Calendar, Tennis News, Wada