WTA board approves reforms to streamline season

MIAMI, Mar 27 (Reuters) The WTA board has approved a major overhaul of women's tennis that will see a shorter season anchored by four crown-jewel mandatory events, increased prize money and a drive into China.

In an effort to streamline the sport and make it more attractive to fans, the WTA's dramatic reforms also include fewer top tier events and stiffer fines for players who drop out of events without good reason.

Under the plan which comes into effect in 2009, all the top players will be required to take part in four crown-jewel events that will include fixtures in Miami and Indian Wells with new stops in Madrid and Beijing and each offering prize money of more than 4 million dollar.

''These plans have been in development for three years and they represent a dramatic reform in the way the circuit will be structured and drive much greater popularity for the sport,'' WTA chief executive Larry Scott told reporters.

''We believe our fans deserve to see our top players playing together more often on the world's biggest stages and being able to perform at their best.'' In an attempt to help curb a rise in injuries and late withdrawals, the 26 tier I and II events will be trimmed to 20 premium tournaments while season-ending Tour championships will be held in October, extending the off-season to nine weeks from seven.

Total prize money will rise 30 percent to 72 million dollar in 2009 but the WTA said top-10 players could also expect an even heftier rise in fines and suspensions for failing to live up to their commitments to tournaments.

''The Roadmap has delivered a calendar and level of player commitment that after a lot of consultation we feel all players can meet and we will have a system of suspensions if players are not legitimately injured,'' said Scott.

''The suspensions will last the next two premium tournaments.'' The WTA also confirmed a major push into China, placing one of its crown jewel events in Beijing and announcing it would open its first Asian office in the city.

The ATP also announced today that it had approved Shanghai as a venue for a Masters Series event in 2009.

Shanghai has hosted the men's season-ending Tennis Masters Cup three times and will stage the event the next two years.

''China is critically important to the future of tennis,'' said Scott.

''With the Olympic Games coming in 2008, we couldn't be happier that Beijing hosts one of our crown-jewel events.

''We're lucky such a big nation like China is so interested in tennis.'' REUTERS PDS BST0114