The new CEO of the WTA Tour, Steve Simon, wants to look closely at the structure of the circuit and address the spate of injuries that have hindered the top players during the latter portion of the season.
The former tournament director of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells was announced as the new chief of the women's tour a few days ago, following Stacey Allaster's decision to step down.
"The WTA board called me a couple days after Stacey Allaster decided to step back and asked me if I would consider it," Simon told *ESPNW* in an interview. "I think it's a unique opportunity to be provided a platform to maybe improve the game, the sport and the business and take it to new places, and you don't get that opportunity very often."
Simon has been repeatedly asked about what has become a pressing topic on the WTA tour: The physical toll of the game. Serena Williams withdrawing from Beijing and the WTA Finals, citing injuries and her defeat at the U.S. Open, makes that six of the Top 6 recently withdrawing or retiring from tournaments because of injuries or illness.
Simon indicated the issue would be a priority.
"The athleticism that's coming into the game is definitely taking its toll on the athletes because matches are becoming so much more strenuous, especially for the ones who are playing deep," he said. "We have to look at the structure and give [players] that opportunity to get calculated rest so, as much as possible, they can finish the end of the year as strongly as they began the year.
"We have to evolve and continue adjusting in ways that make sense. Our athletes are our product and if they're not on the court, we don't have a product."
Though not giving specifics, he did suggest that there could be changes to the tournament schedule again, following a major reorganization made a few years ago. The WTA Roadmap, which was developed under former CEO Larry Scott and implemented by Allaster, began in 2009. The Roadmap reduced the number of tournaments top players had to play, but still required them to play the four Premier Mandatory events and four of the Premier 5 events, while also restricting the amount of smaller events they could compete in.
"It was greatly enhanced. It created a good offseason for the athletes," said Simon, speaking to the Tennis Channel in a broadcast interview. "The athleticism of the players is just getting better and better and we have to continue evolving and keep looking at the calendar and the schedule."
Asked about older players like Williams still dominating and younger players being slow to emerge, Simon spoke about the need to get up-and-comers through the lower ranks.
"The WTA has amazing group of young players. I think one of the things we have to do is one work on aggregating the product," he said. "Put them on a stage where they're having success against the best. You have to have them on the big stage with the big players and develop the star from there."
Another major development for the WTA Tour has been the increasing amount of tournaments in Asia, particularly China. Simon indicated he would consider whether or not to continue in that direction.
"Obviously it has been a growing part of the business. Just about every organization has seen the Asia-Pacific region as a huge opportunity for growth," he told *Inside Tennis*. "We certainly have seen some of that through tennis, which has been terrific. We will be looking at our overall business and how Asia-Pacific continues to fit into that and how we maximize the opportunity without over-saturating it as well. Those are all things to be looked at."
His experience running Indian Wells will be important to his new role, said Simon, describing it as, "The continued pursuit of excellence and innovation that provides for the best experience people can have consuming your product. That foundation is fundamental to what we do in pro tennis. You’ll start to see that as I get involved and get to work."
Simon will relocate to the organization's offices in St. Petersburg, Fl. to take up the position.