Women's Tennis Assocation CEO Steve Simon on Monday claimed that WTA will have "fundamental changes" to the tough schedule following a rash of injuries among top players. Simon: "We will consult with players to improve the schedule to protect their health and keep the tour a 'premium product' for tennis fans." Simon said that the "intense period" between the end of the US Open and the WTA Finals is "the most exacerbated" because players are tired and also under extra pressure to reach the season finale (XINHUANET, 10/26). ... Two of golf's "harshest rules have been changed" in the latest revision announced by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, to take effect in January. In the professional game, players will no longer be disqualified if "an eagle-eyed television viewer rings in after spotting an infringement that leads to penalty shots being applied after the player has signed for their scorecard." Neither will an automatic one-stroke penalty be applied "if the ball moves after a player has addressed the ball." This "will now only happen if the facts show a player caused the ball to move" (London DAILY MAIL, 10/26). ... The Int'l Hockey Federation (FIH) has now formally written to the Indian Olympic Association, "requesting it to remove all reference of the now defunct Indian Hockey Federation from its records and website," and recognize Hockey India. FIH approved HI during its Congress in November "as the national hockey governing body." This decision was "later appealed by the IHF in the Court of Arbitration for Sports," according to a release. But the world's highest court for sports "declined their plea and confirmed its decision to reinstate HI as the governing body for hockey in India" (INDIA TODAY, 10/24).
