SHANGHAI - Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick complained yesterday that the ATP season is too long and that tennis players need a proper off-season.
SHANGHAI - Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick complained yesterday that the ATP season is too long and that tennis players need a proper off-season.
Both players, who are in China for the Shanghai Masters, reiterated criticism of the sport's punishing schedule.
"It's impossible to play 1st of January and finish 5th of December," said the 23-year-old Nadal, who did not defend his title at Wimbledon because of a knee injury. "It's impossible to be here playing like I did for the last five years, playing a lot of matches and being 100percent all the time, without problems."
Roddick, a veteran at 27, said players need a longer off-season to recover, and noted that Roger Federer (fatigue) and Andy Murray (wrist injury) are skipping the Shanghai tournament.
"It's ridiculous to think that you have a professional sport that doesn't have a legitimate off-season to rest, get healthy, and then train," Roddick said.
"Common sense has to prevail." -Sapa-AP
Nadal feels overworked
SHANGHAI - Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick complained yesterday that the ATP season is too long and that tennis players need a proper off-season.
SHANGHAI - Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick complained yesterday that the ATP season is too long and that tennis players need a proper off-season.
Both players, who are in China for the Shanghai Masters, reiterated criticism of the sport's punishing schedule.
"It's impossible to play 1st of January and finish 5th of December," said the 23-year-old Nadal, who did not defend his title at Wimbledon because of a knee injury. "It's impossible to be here playing like I did for the last five years, playing a lot of matches and being 100percent all the time, without problems."
Roddick, a veteran at 27, said players need a longer off-season to recover, and noted that Roger Federer (fatigue) and Andy Murray (wrist injury) are skipping the Shanghai tournament.
"It's ridiculous to think that you have a professional sport that doesn't have a legitimate off-season to rest, get healthy, and then train," Roddick said.
"Common sense has to prevail." -Sapa-AP
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