Tennis Canada Considering Making Changes To Rogers Cup In 2011

Women's And Men's Matches Would Be Played In Same Venues Under Proposed Change

Tennis Canada is "considering a radical change to the Rogers Cup starting in 2011, one that would see men and women play" in Toronto and Montreal at the same time, according to Kevin McGran of the TORONTO STAR. Tennis Canada is "considering a 'half-and-half' idea: having half the men and half the women play in Toronto, while the other half play in Montreal." Each city "would get a final on the Sunday." Tennis Canada President & CEO Michael Downey: "The (Saturday) afternoon semifinalist in Toronto flies that afternoon to Montreal in time to practise, and plays the final the next day. The women's semifinalist comes the other direction. The same scenario in doubles." The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and the ATP World Tour, "which want more combined events to build on the success of the four Grand Slams and a handful of other combined tournaments, are considering the idea." WTA Tour Chair & CEO Stacey Allaster: "It's incredibly innovative. It's cool, but this is professional sport and it's a challenge." McGran notes Tennis Canada currently "alternates the men's and women's events between Toronto and Montreal." If the WTA and ATP "ultimately consider the half-and-half solution too radical, then the women will play in Toronto and the men in Montreal the same week starting in 2011, in what Tennis Canada has taken to calling a 'virtually combined' event" (TORONTO STAR, 8/19).