Becker Threatens Strike at Open if TV Creates Schedule Problems
Boris Becker says he is ready to go on strike at next year’s U.S. Open tennis championships if the demands of television create scheduling problems for players.
World No. 2 Becker told the German magazine Stern in an interview released today that he is angry that matches are being scheduled too close together for players to have time to recuperate between rounds.
“For example I find it an unbelievable affront that at Flushing Meadow (this year) we were only allowed a one-night break between the tough semifinal matches on Saturday and the tough finals on Sunday,” Becker said in the interview.
“That was dictated by American television, which of course hoped for the best ratings on those two days.
“This television rhythm ruins your last reserves.”
Becker said the four semifinalists at next September’s U.S. Open should refuse to play if the schedule was not changed.
“I would take part in a strike,” he said.
“It would be a strike against television and for better tennis.”
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