ATP Announces Major Changes for 2007

Along with the typical "we're going to create more stars, do more marketing and promotion of the sport, etc." the tour announced Sunday at the US Open that it will get rid of most if not all best-of-five set finals, begin play on Sunday at certain events, and at smaller tournaments switch to a round-robin format.

"We plan to transform men's professional tennis into an integrated entertainment business based on what makes sense to fans, players, tournaments and media," said ATP Tour President Etienne de Villiers. "We are going to actively create more stars, enhance the entertainment element of tournaments and place a much greater emphasis on marketing and promotion. The ATP wants to change the game not because the product is broken but rather because it's so strong right now that I find it unacceptable we are not maximizing its potential."

World No. 3 Ivan Ljubicic, a member of the ATP Player Council who earlier this year voiced his displeasure at being almost invisible compared to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, gave his support to the new changes -- especially the promotion of other players.

"I support the new direction and leadership of the ATP, and I'm glad that they realize that change is overdue. With Etienne's leadership and vision, I'm confident that we are heading in the right, positive direction for the ATP and tennis."

ATP tournaments will phase in Sunday starts next year, with 8-day events mandatory by 2009.

The details for the round robin play are sketchy, but will likely (for a 32 draw) involve eight groups of four, with the winner from each round-robin group advancing to the single-elimination quarterfinals.

"I have said it at our meetings with Etienne, I think this is a great idea," Nadal said. "Finally we really move forward and we do something really good for our sport. This will be good for our tournaments, for us the players and especially for fans and television since they will be able to have and see their favorite players more than once for sure."

ATP Player Council member James Blake says the end of best-of-five ATP finals will be good for everyone involved.

"The players strongly support the move away from best-of-5-sets finals at ATP tournaments," Blake said. "This is one step toward ensuring that the last two players standing at any given tournament aren't sidelined the next week or even longer."

The ATP says that prize money for 2007 will also rise 10 percent "across the board" at all events, and the ATP marketing budget will receive an injection of cash.

"Going from a minimal marketing budget to several millions will not only provide benefits to players, tournaments and fans but also ensures that the ATP takes advantage of the 'following wind' that we currently enjoy," said ATP Chief Marketing Officer Phil Anderton. "We have great stars but we need more of them known to more people."