Tennis ace Nadal slams ATP for tough hardcourt tournament schedule

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

CINCINNATI, Ohio (AFP) — Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal has slammed the ATP for a hardcourt tournament schedule which is taking its toll on the players.

With the Beijing Olympics packing out the summer calendar, the post-Wimbledon run in North America began even earlier than usual and the strapping Spaniard says even the most fit competitors are paying the price.

"That's a big mistake, in my opinion, for the tour," said the world number two, tracking down Roger Federer in a tight rankings chase. "If you saw the players, how many injuries the players have in the last months...

"You have to (consider) if we are going in the good way, a good direction or not."

Nadal's comments add fuel to the fire raging around the ATP,...