After returning to the ATP Tour in style with a 6-3 6-4 win over Viktor Troicki at the Japan Open on Tuesday, Milos Raonic called for a review of how the sport is run.
It was Raonic's first match following a seven-week absence with a left-wrist surgery. The big-serving Canadian has withdrawn from five events this year, and conceded walkovers at two others.
"It's been very frustrating," said Raonic, who started this year at No.3 but has slipped to No.12 in the rankings.
"I think I've had more than a dozen different injuries and reasons that have kept me away from tournaments. That hasn't been fun because I haven't been able to focus on tennis, I've been focusing on 'Can I play today or can't I?' rather than, 'What do I need to do with my tennis game?"'
Raonic knows tennis isn't a sport that's easy on the body, and the travel and length of the season are demanding, too.
"I believe out of those of us that finished top five last year, I'm the only guy still trying to play this year, and none of the top five played the US Open," Raonic said.
"Maybe it's testament to some kind of reform being needed for the sake of players' careers, and being able to provide a certain calibre of tennis for spectators.
"Scheduling, the length of the year and how spread out - geographically and throughout the year - the tournaments are, especially the top tournaments for the top players, is something that deserves a second look. It's hard to peak four times of the year for grand slams, let alone for other tournaments."
The length of the season has long been an issue for players, something the men's and women's tours have taken some steps to address.
Even the biggest stars on the men's tour, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, had injury layoffs before returning to win two major titles each this season.
Meanwhile in other results Matthew Ebden scored one of the better wins of his career with a first round defeat of Ivo Karlovic.
Argentina's Diego Schwartzman set up a second round clash with Bernard Tomic after 6-2 7-5 win over American Donald Young.
The Australian journeyman downed the towering Croat 6-4 6-3.
Richard Gasquet also advanced to the second round, with a 6-4 7-6 (7-2) defeat of sixth-seeded Sam Querrey.
Share
