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Roddick wants tennis players to form union
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-12 09:15
The 2003 U.S. Open champion said the crowded calendar came down to business
rather than "common logic." He also noted that forming a union, similar to those
of the major team sports in North America, was exceedingly difficult because of
the disparate and individual nature of tennis.
"Getting 100 players from this many countries, with language barriers and get
them all on the same page at one time ... it's tough," he said. "For every
person that says we're not healthy, there's another guy that says, 'Hey, I need
those two extra weeks for the prize money.'"
Federer, who was 81-4 last season and won 11 titles, does not blame the heavy
workload for the seemingly high number of injuries. He says players could plan
their schedule to avoid wear and tear. But he agrees with Roddick that players
need representation at highest levels of the ATP.
Iggy Jovanovic, an ATP-appointed player representative, said the men's
sanctioning body was revamping its structure. It is aiming to get an active
player or players' rep on the board.
The ATP will hold a mandatory players' meeting on Saturday in Melbourne. New
board chairman Etienne de Villiers reviewed the ATP structure last year and
found not enough attention paid to players.
"He's looking at a structure that throws the needle back a bit toward the
players," Jovanovic said, "and wants to get somebody in their who can meet with
the players, be with the players, and bring their ideas and concerns directly to
the board."
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