WTA to Shorten Season

If you’ve watched some of the women’s tennis tournaments this past year, you’ve probably noticed that many of the top players were absent. That’s because a record number of top players withdrew from the events due to illness or injury.

The WTA Tour says that withdrawals from the top 10 players have more than doubled this season from 13 to 31. Withdrawals from the leading events by the players in the top 10 have soared 72 percent over the past five years. Chief executive Larry Scott says, “This latest data is a clear signal that our season is simply too long and grueling for even the finest women athletes in the world.”

Now the WTA Tour is planning on making some significant changes to alleviate these issues. These changes, which are expected to be implemented by the 2009 season, include:

* A shorter season ending in October
* Longer breaks after grand slam tournaments
* Fewer tour tournaments that players must participate in from 13 to 11
* Streamlined events so leading players compete against each other more often

U.S. Open champion and third-ranked Maria Sharapova says, “I feel strongly that the season needs to be made much shorter, with more breaks for players to rest in order to be in peak condition when we do play. I know the tour is taking this issue seriously, and I am looking forward to the changes that will lead to a healthier schedule for players.”