LONDON, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- International Tennis Federation president Francesco Ricci-Bitti Wednesday unveiled plans to move the Australian Open to March.
In Wednesday's edition of the German newspaper Die Welt, Ricci-Bitti also suggested Wimbledon may be rescheduled from its traditional slot in June and July.
Players have complained frequently that the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event of the season which starts on Monday, comes too soon after the winter hiatus and leaves them with too little time to properly prepare for such an important event.
"Melbourne comes right at the start of the season. It's a highlight that comes too soon," Ricci-Bitti told the newspaper. "That's why we are in talks with the ATP to move Indian Wells and Key Biscayne to February and the indoor tournaments in Europe could start the season in January."
Three-time Australian Open champion Andre Agassi said he thinks the Melbourne event should be contested three weeks later.
"I think there are a lot of surprise results here because of the fact that it's just right out of the blocks," Agassi said.
Ricci-Bitti also said that if a decision is made to move Wimbledon, it will not be executed before 2005.
Players have grumbled that Wimbledon, which is contested on the speedy grass courts of the All England Club, starts too soon after the French Open, which is played on the slow clay of Roland Garros. This season, Wimbledon begins June 23, just 15 days after the French Open concludes.
