Finally, some proposed relief for women’s tennis players
Posted on September 3rd, 2008 – 10:17 AMBy Michael Rand
We don’t doubt that playing professional tennis takes a physical toll. We also don’t doubt that players in peak physical condition are paid handsomely to entertain us. With those things in mind, we aren’t sure what to think about this NY Times report (though we are pretty sure what, say, NFL players might think):
We will witness another significant moment in women’s tennis on Wednesday. No, not Williams versus Williams, though Venus and Serena Williams indirectly provided the impetus for the big moment.
The WTA Tour will use the United States Open to unveil sweeping renovations to next year’s tour.
Called Road Map 2009, the WTA’s revamped plan centers around a dramatic, more streamlined — and healthier — calendar for the tour’s players.
Avid tennis fans will recognize a number of positive, health-saving innovations for a highly competitive tour that is taking an increasingly higher toll on athletes’ bodies. The goal is to spread the global gospel of tennis without grinding up the top players.
“There are just too many injuries in women’s tennis,” Larry Scott, the WTA president and chief executive, said Tuesday. “That leads to too many withdrawals from tournaments, and that’s very frustrating to fans.”
The highlights of the new road map are:
*A shorter season that ends in October;
*A nine-week off-season, two weeks longer than the current one;
*More than $85 million in prize money;
*A reduction in the number of required tournaments from 12 to 10 — not including the four Grand Slam tournaments;
*Fewer surface changes so players will not have go from outdoor to indoor, from indoor hardcourt to clay, etc. as frequently as they have.
These are not drastic changes, so we suppose if it helps players stay healthy they’re not a bad idea. That said, this still reminds us of the old Onion article about striking baseball players demanding a 10-hour work week and $2.4 million minimum wage (or some such thing, since we can’t find it online for some reason).
Your thoughts?
8 Responses to "Finally, some proposed relief for women’s tennis players"
Somehow I see this leading back to the discussion ont the 9yr old that couldnt pitch because he threw too fast. Why dont we just make all professional sports easier… I need to find one tour to be on to supplement my income from blogging here.
Once the woman start playing best of 5 sets I’ll start listening to their complaints about working too hard and not making equal money. Until then they need to either get back on the court or make me a sandwich.
Until then they need to either get back on the court or make me a sandwich.
Why does it have to be either/or? Can’t they do both?
Avid tennis fans will recognize a number of positive, health-saving innovations for a highly competitive tour
I think that might be a little bit of a reach. They’ll just be happy more good players are playing in more tournaments, I don’t know that they’ll recognize/care how it happens.
“As long as they all speak English, we don’t really care.” - The LPGA
The highlights of the new road map are:
*A shorter season that ends in October;
*A nine-week off-season, two weeks longer than the current one;
*More than $85 million in prize money;
*A reduction in the number of required tournaments from 12 to 10 — not including the four Grand Slam tournaments;
*Fewer surface changes so players will not have go from outdoor to indoor, from indoor hardcourt to clay, etc. as frequently as they have.
*Less clothing
You forgot that one…
+1 Jon.
Except it’s hard to speak when you are….- Joker
I’d send this “one of us” momements to Rand but I will never reveal my true identity. Via Deadspin, somewhere Ocho Cinco is crying. (And where exactly did the mask come from?)
