'I'm hearing rumblings..': Patrick McEnroe suggests Australian Open could move to February

Could a change be on its way which on the surface would help the players when it comes to the ATP Calendar but in reality perhaps add more strain on? Patrick McEnroe has mooted a move for the Australian Open but one that could have far reaching consequences.

Players have been pretty vociferous about burn out. In many sports, the season ends at a certain point like football and doesn't resume for at least a few months. But the WTA Finals for instance takes place in November and often players are in exhibitions in Saudi Arabia and UAE during Christmas.

Even Macau on Christmas Day for some. But the rumour has swirled as per McEnroe on commentary that it could move to accommodate tournaments in the Middle East in January. Saudi Arabia in particular have long sniffed around wanting to take a Masters 1000 and place it during the Christmas period which would elongate the season even more.

John McEnroe said himself that he thinks March would be better but that they don't want to give up the slot. He said on TNT Sports. "A lot of players, mainly the ones that have lost complaining about the schedule. We’ve been talking about that for 40-50 years.

"If they moved the Australian to later, that would give more time, but they don’t want to give that up. The January slot. What do you think, in March?"

While Patrick McEnroe mooted not only the move to February but also the Middle Eastern move and he said that the lack of certainty means players have to continue.

"I’m hearing rumblings that it could move to February."

"Of course, there’d probably be another big tournament put in in early January, that’s part of potentially the plan. Middle East hello?

"It’s pretty typical of all sports like in the NBA you see players taking nights off under contract. In tennis the difference is you don’t play you don’t get paid. No guaranteed contracts. Top players have big endorsement deals but even those normally have stipulations that the players have to play certain events or be ranked at a certain spot to collect the money."