Federer, Nadal and Djokovic injuries prove men's tennis calendar needs change says Judy Murray

Judy Murray has called on the ATP to take a relook at the men's tennis calendar suggesting that it is too demanding on the players at the moment.

Sir Andy Murray's mother cited the number of injuries to top players in the last two seasons to push for a change in the schedule. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal struggled with injury in 2016 before making a strong comeback this year, while the 2017 season saw Novak Djokovic, Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic among others struggle with injuries.

The Swiss ace, who won seven titles including two Grand Slams, had to sit out the entire clay court swing of the season to ensure he remains fit for the rest of the year, while Nadal struggled with a knee injury at the end of the 2017 campaign after playing a full schedule from the start of the campaign.

Djokovic and Murray, meanwhile, ended their season after Wimbledon due to elbow and hip injuries respectively and are expected to return to action in the New Year. The Scot's mother feels the lengthy ATP Tour combined with five-set matches in the Grand Slams and the Davis Cup is cause for "great physical and mental wear".

"The men's circuit is extremely demanding and long, with matches to the best of five sets in the Grand Slam and Davis Cup, which is a great physical and mental wear," Judy Murray said, as quoted by the Express.

"It is necessary to change and revise the calendar because last year were Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer who were several months out and this year there are many 'top ten' who have not been able to finish since the US Open.

"Especially men have a very long calendar, very congested and the great players, after a Grand Slam, always have a downer and it is very difficult physically and mentally to be able to play the Davis Cup. It should be held every two years instead of every year," she explained.

The former Great Britain Fed Cup captain, meanwhile, also admitted surprise with regards to Nadal and Federer's dominance in 2017 despite both players coming back from lengthy injury layoffs in 2016. However, she admitted that it was only in certain aspects as there was never any doubt about the possibility of both the players getting back to their best.

The duo ended the year as the men's singles number one and two respectively with a combined 13 titles which included sharing the four Grand Slams – French and US Open for Nadal, while the Swiss ace captured the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles.

"I was surprised to see them there in some aspects and not in others, I was surprised because they came out of long injuries and quickly returned to the top, but on the other hand they are players who have been at the top for many years, showing that they are fantastic players and, especially Rafa, is a great fighter," she added.

"Both have in common the passion for tennis and what they do, knowing the demand and competitiveness they have has not surprised me so much."