10 Nov 2010

Federer backs plans to shorten season

8:19 am on 10 November 2010

Roger Federer has backed calls to shorten the tennis calendar to protect players from burnout by creating a six week off-season.

The former world number one Federer says it's time players had a proper off-season as four weeks isn't enough.

The world number one Rafa Nadal, who's also said the season is too long, is among the high-profile absentees due to injury at the Paris Masters this week.

Another top player behind the appeal for a tour overhaul, is the world number two Novak Djokovic, who's on the Players' Council with Federer and Nadal.

The ATP is to finalise its proposed calendars for the 2012 and 2013 seasons at a series of board meetings during the World Tour Finals in London later this month.