TENNIS in DEPTH.

Andy Roddick’s withdrawal from the Shanghai Masters led the American to describe the one-month off-season as “ridiculous”. He said it was no coincidence that some of the leading names in tennis had been laid off through injury at some point this season.

Roger Federer (fatigue) and Andy Murray (wrist injury) will miss this week’s event in China and Juan Martin del Potro, Tommy Haas, Stanislas Wawrinka and Gael Monfils have joined Roddick in pulling out.

In calling for change Agassi said: “I think the Tour should tighten up the schedule so the top players can play more often in a shorter time.

“I’d like to see everyone come to the table and work out a schedule that suits everyone. I always thought it’s best to give the players a schedule that enables the players to be at their best.”

The world’s top 30 players must compete in a mandatory 18 tournaments each year — including the four grand slams and eight of the nine Masters 1000s — but such a work load is something that Rafael Nadal, the world No 2, has warned could force players into early retirement.

The Spaniard, now back after his four-month lay-off with a knee injury in the summer, said: “It’s impossible to play January 1 and finish December 5. No sport can do it, and you play a shorter career. I know it’s difficult because there are a lot of interests. I don’t know the solution, but my opinion is that it must be changed and soon.”

Adam Helfant, the chief executive officer of the ATP Tour, is understood to be meeting players to discuss the rescheduling possibilities at next month’s season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London.

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Looking strikingly different from the pony-tailed star who ruled tennis courts till 1999, Stefanie Maria Graf made a charming appearance at an event hosted by her husband Andre Agassi on Saturday.

Dressed in a black-and-white, animal print gown, Steffi looked stunning as she posed for shutterbugs with Agassi.

The two were attending the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation for Education’s Grand Slam for Children benefit concert at Wynn Las Vegas hotel and casino on Saturday. The event was attended by celebrities such as Lionel Richie, Macy Gray, Chris Daughtry, Tim McGraw and Brian McKnight.

The foundation, which has raised $75 million through concerts since 1994, funds the school where low-income students get financial support. Students are chosen through a lottery.

The school has been the centre of the couple’s life for some time now.

“The most emotional moment of his (Agassi’s) social commitment was honouring the students from the first graduation class of his Andre Agassi Preparatory Academy…” Graf writes in her blog.

The winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, 40-year-old Graf has also been involved in charitable work. The only player to have won all four Grand Slam singles tournaments at least four times each, she has her own charity ‘Children for Tomorrow’. She was recently spotted enjoying a vacation at Capri in Italy with her husband and two children.

“It’s amazing how quick life goes by when you have children.”

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Former Wimbledon champions Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf will return to the All England Club in May to try out the playing conditions under the new Centre Court roof.

Agassi and Graf

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