Lendl Thinking of Boycotting ATP Tour

World No. 1 Ivan Lendl said he may boycott the new Assn. of Tennis Professionals’ tennis tour in 1991 because it forces him to play in too many tournaments.

Lendl was reacting to a suggestion by Olympic champion Miloslav Mecir that top players might simply drop the ATP tour, which starts in January, and concentrate on the more lucrative Grand Slam events to allow themselves more time off.

“I’d consider it quite seriously because the number of tournaments they (the ATP) are asking is a bit too high, and if it doesn’t change I’m definitely going to do it some time in the future,” said Lendl at the European Community tennis championship.

But Lendl said he will wait to see how the first year of the ATP tour goes before taking any further steps.

“I signed for the ATP tour because I think I should support it at least in the first year and see what happens then in 1991,” Lendl said.

Mecir said that the rules of the ATP tour, run by the players, are too strict and that a Grand Slam circuit would suit the players much better.

“We would have more time for training and for relaxing and more time to concentrate on the Grand Slams,” he said.

A “Grand Slam tour” would comprise the four major tournaments--the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open--plus a new Grand Slam Cup with a purse of $6 million.

Players would also take part in Davis Cup matches, exhibition tournaments and special events and would have more practice time and longer rest periods.