 Serena Williams missed this year's Wimbledon through injury |
The Women's Tennis Association is pushing ahead with big changes to the season in a bid to cut rising levels of injuries and pull-outs. Injury withdrawals from tournaments by players ranked in the world's top 10 more than doubled this season.
The WTA confirmed on Tuesday it wants to shorten its season, cut the number of events in which players must take part and have post-Grand Slam breaks.
The WTA board is expected to back the changes in March for the 2009 season.
WTA chief Larry Scott admitted: "A season that overtaxes our players is hurting the fan experience.
"This data is a clear signal our season is too long and gruelling for even the finest women athletes in the world."
The number of top-10 players pulling out of from the leading events has also jumped by 72% over the past five years.
Scott said: "Fans and tournaments deserve to see the top players and to be able to count on them
"Women's tennis needs to enact bold reforms in the name of player health and the continued global growth of the game. "
 | 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 |
Scott said he had directed a special committee to develop rule changes for 2007 and 2008 that would provide short-term improvement to the withdrawal issue.
The WTA has already approved the doubling of fines for players who pull out of events at short notice. "These initiatives will ensure that not only will our athletes remain the most recognisable and popular female athletes on the planet but that we are able to sustain the incredible growth the sport has witnessed," he said.
Among the elements of the 'Roadmap' reform plan are:
a shortened season ending in Octobermore breaks after grand slams a reduction in the number of tour tournaments top players must play from 13 to 11a streamlining of events with leading players competing against each other more often Speaking earlier this month, US Open champion Maria Sharapova has agreed the season was too long.
"I feel strongly 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," said the Russian.
| We've got a challenge on our hands today with the increasing number of top player injuries and withdrawals |
"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."
US legend Billie Jean King has also called for action.
"For women's tennis to be successful, top players need to be consistently playing each other in the Tour's top events," she said.
606 DEBATE: Your reaction to the LTA's reforms
"We've got a challenge on our hands today with the increasing number of top player injuries and withdrawals.
"We all know that the season is too long and that top players need breaks so that their bodies don't break down."
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