Players could boycott 2009 WTA Tour, says Safina

The top players could boycott next year's WTA Tour if their questions were left unanswered, world number three Dinara Safina said on Saturday.

The Russian said the players were unhappy with the changes being made to the schedule.

"If they (WTA) don't listen to what we have to say we might even choose to boycott the new tour," Safina told reporters after losing 6-2 7-6 to compatriot Vera Zvonareva in the Kremlin Cup semi-finals.

"They said the leading players would have to play in designated tournaments while lower-ranked players would be able to enter any event they like. There's no logic in that at all.

"What if all the top players choose to enter the same tournament? What will the WTA do then? We want to know," added Safina.

Under the so-called Road Map 2010, 26 Tier One and Tier Two events will be combined into 20 Premiere tournaments with players committed to play in at least 10.

Four $4.5 million tournaments in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing will be mandatory for all players who qualify.