McNamara opposes rule changes

Dubai: Peter McNamara, one of Australia's greatest tennis players, is averse to major changes on the ATP Men's Tour.

"Why would anyone want to ring in the changes at this point of time when the game is headed in the right direction?" McNamara said at The Legends Rock Dubai event here.

"We have the best tennis being played by a talented players, and everything is looking good for the sport at this moment. I wouldn't advise anyone to change any of this."

The ATP recently announced that it will test three different round robin formats at select circuit events in 2007.

The round robin format is one of a series of on-court introductions for 2007, outlined during the US Open, to improve the tournament experience for players, fans, broadcasters and promoters.

"They (ATP) are trying to make a few radical changes in the sport. I only hope they know what they are doing, and not playing with fire," McNamara said.

He added that the authorities need to respect tennis due to its tradition. "When you play around with tradition, you need to be careful. Changes need to be for the right reasons."

However, that does not mean that McNamara is completely against changes in sport.

"Change is not bad if it works in the right direction. The changes need to be positive and not merely for the sake of having something new."

He felt that the new concept of round robin trials is aimed at destabilising top players, Roger Federer in particular.

"Federer can be the greatest player of all time. What I cannot understand is why the ATP has to change the format now. Is it really necessary?" McNamara asked.

"We have to realise that Federer has taken tennis to a completely new level and dimension. Everything is going well for the sport, and now, they decide to bring in changes. I doubt this is right."

As if to prove McNamara right the best players, including Federer, have excused themselves from this week's Paris Masters.

"This is a major tournament and we do not have the best players playing in it due to the exertion and strain the season has had on them through the year. Now, this is a genuine concern and the ATP should be more worried in addressing this aspect of the sport," McNamara suggested.

Born in Melbourne in 1955, McNamara has won five singles and 19 doubles titles during his professional playing career.

Though retired from the men's tour, McNamara spends a bulk of his time as a consultant to a German-based company dealing with tennis training clinics and camps for youngsters.

"Change is not bad

if it works in the right direction. It needs to be positive and not merely for the sake of having something new."

Peter McNamara' schedule

Today:

Venue: Madinat Arena.

6.00pm: Emilio Sanchez v Guy Forget.

Followed by: Bjorn Borg v John McEnroe.

Followed by:

Mansour Bahrami/ Illie Nastase v Henri Leconte/ Peter McNamara.