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Nadal calls for rankings rethink

Rafael Nadal believes the current rankings system could cut players' careers short © PA Photos

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Rafael Nadal has called for an overhaul of the rankings system in order to prolong the careers of players.

The world No. 1, who extended his lead at the top of the world standings following his victory at the Barcelona Open on Sunday, believes the points system should be calculated over two seasons.

Nadal has 5000 points to defend on the clay this season, and he believes that such a move would benefit future players if not his own generation of professionals.

"I don't know if it can happen but I will continue to work for it for the benefit of future tennis generations - if it happens we will have a more relaxed life and a longer career," Nadal said.

Nadal, who missed the Barcelona Open last year in a bid to rest ahead of the Masters events in Rome and Madrid, believes the busy schedule takes its toll on players' bodies.

"We would not have to play every week as we do now," said Nadal, who is a member of the ATP Player Council.

Nicolas Almagro's quarter-final appearance at the Barcelona Open saw him break into the world's top ten for the first time, while fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco dropped to 15th after failing to defend his title in Catalunya.

In the women's rankings, Germany's Julia Goerges climbed to No. 27 in the world rankings following her title in Stuttgart.

ATP Tour Rankings
1. Rafael Nadal (SPA), 2. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 3. Roger Federer (SUI), 4. Andy Murray (GBR), 5. Robin Soderling (SWE), 6. David Ferrer (SPA), 7. Tomas Berdych (CZE), 8. Jurgen Melzer (AUT), 9. Gael Monfils (FRA), 10. Nicolas Almagro (SPA)

WTA Tour Rankings
1. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), 2. Kim Clijsters (BEL), 3. Vera Zvonareva (RUS), 4. Francesca Schiavone (ITA), 5. Victoria Azarenka (BLR), 6. Sam Stosur (AUS), 7. Li Na (CHN), 8. Jelena Jankovic (SRB), 9. Maria Sharapova (RUS), 10. Serena Williams (USA)

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