Tennis
No rush for a strike - Murray
2011-09-29 22:50
Bangkok - Andy Murray rolled back on talk of a player strike over minor changes they hope to see in the ATP schedule, saying on Thursday that discussion are the first order of business.
The Scot was in good humour after opening his week at the Thailand Open 6-4, 6-2 over German Michael Berrer in the second round.
But after causing a stir with comments about player dissatisfaction with the annual calendar a few weeks ago, the world No 4 calmed the waters.
He said that while players want to discuss the scheduling issue at the Shanghai Masters starting a week from next Monday "there is no rush."
"We're only proposing small chances, a few less mandatory events and some more rest periods. Tennis is in a great place right now and no one is yet talking about a strike.
"There are just a few minor things we'd like to see changed and we hope to sit with the ATP and other officials and discuss them. Two or three more weeks off a season is what we are thinking of.
"I never said anyone wanted to strike, we do want some small changes"
The Scot said that with Roger Federer missing Shanghai to rest and Novak Djokovic another absentee, the player meeting timetable might have to be slipped.
The next opportunity would be the Paris Bercy Masters in early November.