ATP raps U.S. Open plan for Monday final

LONDON, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The ATP, which oversees men's professional tennis, said it didn't support the U.S. Open plans for scheduling the men's singles finals on a Monday.

U.S. Open organizers last week said they were adjusting the tournament schedule for include a rest day after Saturday men's semifinals and play the singles final on Monday. The women's singles would have semifinals Friday and the final Sunday.

While scheduled for a Sunday wrap, the last five U.S. Open men's singles finals have been contested on Monday due to weather delays.

But the ATP said it doesn't support a Monday final and encouraged the U.S. Open to follow the schedule of other major tournaments and have the men's semifinals on Friday, with a rest day Saturday ahead of the Sunday final.

Along with the schedule change, U.S. Open announced a substantial increase in the players' purse for the event. ATP said that, while appreciated, it wasn't enough.

"Over the last nine months the ATP and its players have asked that the U.S. Open fully recognize the fundamental role of the players in driving U.S. Open revenues, which are the largest in our sport," an ATP release stated.

"The ATP, therefore, remains committed to continuing discussions on this issue, with the objective of ensuring that the players' share of the revenues at the U.S. Open truly reflects the value that they generate."