Nadal slams season schedule
Tennis world No2 Rafael Nadal has slammed organisers for penning a hectic European schedule that will, in his view, destroy the season. The Spaniard, currently playing in Barcelona, has four consecutive weeks of tournament - a punishing effort. And he predicts that his form and health will suffer.
The 21-year-old said: "These people are destroying Europe and Europe used to be the foundation of the tour.
"I think it's completely impossible to play at one's best level for all four tournaments - Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and Hamburg.
"You just have to accept this situation, all the players will be the same, they will not be able to play at their high level for all four, I think it's totally impossible."
The ATP has made several changes to the calendar in 2008 to accommodate the Olympic Games in August.
The result is that the clay-court season has become especially congested ahead of this month's French Open.
Nadal added: "I think that when a player loses in the first round or pulls out and they get criticised, the tournament should ring these people (the ATP) and tell them that it is their fault.
"I have some email conversations with these people but it is true that they end up doing what they like and I am getting tired of it all."
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