NEW YORK – The head of the men's tennis tour expects a decision soon on proposals to increase the ATP offseason from five weeks to seven or eight by 2012.
ATP chief executive Adam Helfant said Wednesday at the U.S. Open that "there is a commitment to make progress" on lengthening the offseason for 2012 and 2013 "by the end of the year."
Helfant said that would "give our players more time to rest, work on their fitness and work on their games."
He also said that whatever problems American men had at Grand Slam tournaments this season haven't hurt the tour in the U.S. Helfant noted increased attendance at U.S. tournaments, more TV time and Thursday's announcement of the ATP's new global sponsorship deal with FedEx.
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