The dangers of burn-out facing Rafael Nadal and Co on the crowded ATP Tour

With top players complaining about their punishing schedule, is it time for the ATP to rethink its calendar? Absolutely! Firstly, tennis player are under far more stress than sportsmen from other fields, and here's why.

All of us have seen cricketers play international cricket right until their late 30s. Some of them have even gotten better and fitter as they have gotten older – Matthew Hayden, Anil Kumble and Steve Waugh. Even Formula 1 drivers like Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard have shown that age is no bar for performance.

Sadly, tennis players do not have that luxury. Being far more athletic a game, the wear and tear of the constant running around and the strenuous activity take their toll sooner rather than later on tennis players. Add to this the meager resting period between tournaments, not only do they burn out sooner but are more susceptible to injuries as well.

And this is certainly a new phenomenon: champs of the older generation like Steffi Graf  played until she was 30, John McEnroe was active till he was 33, and both Boris Becker and all-time great Pete Sampras were active till their respective 31st birthdays.