Bring on the music, says Kuznetsova

STUTTGART, Oct 4 (Reuters) The changes sweeping through women's tennis are music to the ears of world number four Svetlana Kuznetsova.

While other top players are cautious about plans to jazz up tournaments for spectators and television viewers, former U.S.

Open champion Kuznetsova is right behind the innovations.

''I think it's very important to bring changes to the women's game, to bring more fans to the courts. I think we should try more new things,'' said Kuznetsova at the Stuttgart Grand Prix, where she is seeded second.

Some players are wary about being interviewed before they walk on court and having music playing during changeovers but the Russian believes they should make a sacrifice for the good of the game.

''I know some players are distracted by having an interview before the match but people like it and this (playing music) is something else they can do for the fans,'' she told reporters.

''I feel very strongly about that. Other sports have grown -- football, basketball, hockey -- and if we want to bring tennis to the same level or higher we also have to add other things.'' In a growing debate about the changes, world number one Amelie Mauresmo has opposed the idea of allowing players to consult their coaches on court during set breaks, a system that is being used in Stuttgart this week where the Frenchwoman is the top seed.

PLAYERS' WORKLOAD Mauresmo and former world number one Lindsay Davenport also fear that the round-robin format being introduced in the early rounds of some men's events next year could increase players' workload.

The idea is still in the discussion stage in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).

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