If my tennis racket were a magic wand, we'd see the following changes in the grand old game. Due to the number of items, brevity often trumps elaboration. We'll work out the details later.
  • Tennis, the Balkans of sport, would have a commissioner and a governing council. All the game's factions and interests would be represented, including the players.
  •  The virtually year-long season would be shorter, with fewer tournaments and a two week mid-year break. Less can be more.
  • Roland Garros would be played earlier; Wimbledon would be played later. There should be more time between these majors.
  • The US Open would fall in line with the other majors. Women semi-finals on Thursday, men's semis on Friday, women's final on Saturday, and men's final on Sunday. CBS TV would broadcast, not schedule, the event. It would not delay the men's final while airing a football game conclusion and post game show.
  •  A dress code would be instituted. No company logo or name on clothing, save those of the manufacturer. And those would be limited in size and number. On the practice court you could still be a mobile billboard. Men would wear tennis shirts and shorts. No sleeveless tops or long, baggy pants. (Sartorial note: Approximately 10 years ago, Anna Kournikova predicted women would "play half-naked" in 10 years).
  • All men's matches would be best of three sets. That is long enough to determine the best player. Consider the duration of other sport contests: NBA basketball - 48 minutes; NFL football - 60 minutes (on the game clock); NHL hockey - 60 minutes; soccer  - 90 minutes. Benefits: easier for tournaments and TV to schedule matches; fans see more matches; fewer injuries (a fatigued body is more injury-susceptible).
  • Tennis balls would not all be yellow. Depending on court color they might be red, orange, pink, aqua, violet, bi-colored or even white (remember them?). A particular tourney may be known for its red balls. Recreational players on adjacent courts could readily identify their balls. Incidentally, baseball, golf, soccer and polo have no difficulty using a white ball on a green surface.
  • *On-court coaching would be limited to three minutes between sets. Players would still have to make their own in-game decisions and adaptations.
  • No-one would refer to a major tournament as a Grand Slam or a Slam. The Grand Slam is an accomplishment, not an event. Golf gets it right. You never hear the British Open called a Slam.
  •  Drug testing would be increased and so would the penalties. It is better to err on the side of over-testing than risk becoming bicycling.
  • Racket design would be restricted with respect to power. Sport precedence exists. Professional baseball uses wood bats, eschewing aluminum. Javelin design was restricted because it was sailing too far.
  • Recreational players would cease referring to the duece and advantage courts as the "forehand and backhand sides." The terms left and right courts would be acceptable.
  • Tournament winners would not fall down and roll around on the court, especially on clay. Nothing says champion like appearing at the award ceremony in sweat-soaked clothes caked with mud.
  • Nor would they climb into the stands to hug coach, family, significant other and insignificant others. They are professional athletes, not kids running to momma (ok, some women are kids). Hug later. Tennis players shouldn't need Sherpa guides.
How many of these will come to pass? Realistically, few, if any. But as Winston Churchill said: "I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else".

Would you make this guy God or consign him to hell? Post a comment below or submit an article to Sportingo!