There are currently 69 men's ATP tournaments in the tennis calendar running from the December 31, 2007 to September 11, 2008. Of course, it is not physically possible for every male tennis player to compete in every tournament, but is it really necessary to have so many?

You have the International Series, the International Gold series, the ATP Master series, the Grand Slams, the World Team Cup and this year the Olympics. It's breathtaking stuff but there have been noises to attempt to tone the punishing schedule down.

Because many of the tournaments simply cannot be cancelled, the Tour has been looking at ways of reducing the number of games played in a tournament. It was continual five-set matches that led to many of the top seeds withdrawing from back-to-back events either through exhaustion or injury.

Round robin events are being encouraged more and more as used in the Masters Cup, and three-set duels please everyone from players to broadcasters who can find more time and space in their schedules to show and promote tennis. Although the sport has a huge following worldwide it is not a huge viewer-pulling sport unless it is one of the Grand Slams.

Tennis in Britain must fight alongside football, rugby, cricket and, to a lesser extent, athletics. Unless it is Wimbledon, the share of the viewing and major sponsorship goes elsewhere. This is similar in America where baseball and American football plus golf are the major hitters.

The amount of tournaments are necessary to keep tennis in the public eye. Tennis is still viewed by many as a country club type of sport and a little out of reach for certain sections of the public. There is a three-month break for tennis stars every year and players do have to choose their tournaments and schedules wisely.