1 Aug 2008

Nadal not happy with ATP on use of hard courts

11:26 am on 1 August 2008

World men's tennis number two Rafael Nadal has criticised the ATP for promoting a court surface he says is the toughest on the bodies of the players.

The Wimbledon and French Open champion claimed his fifth successive title and seventh of the year when he won the Toronto hardcourt tournament last week.

But the Spaniard says the sport's governing body isn't paying enough attention to the effect of hard courts on injuries.

Five of the nine Masters Series are hardcourt tournaments and so are two of the four grand slams - although grand slams are not part of the ATP Tour.

Of the 52 tournaments below Masters Series status, 26 are on hard courts (eight indoors) but players usually feel they cannot afford to miss them as they build up to playing in the bigger events on the surface.