Newly appointed ATP Executive Chairman and President Brad Drewett has denied there is a looming crisis regarding player discontent with the administration of the sport and said reports of a possible player strike are sensational.
Talk of player action over frustration with scheduling and prizemoney issues has dominated the early days of the Australian Open after a meeting last Saturday indicated the players were more united than ever in their desire to seek reform.
But while Drewett, a former player himself, admitted there were issues that needed to be addressed, he is confident that discussions had not reached crisis point.
"I've read the articles. I think they're quite sensational in lots of ways. I'm obviously not going to go there," he said.
"We had a player meeting the other night, as you know. It's not often the players get together in one room. Personally, whether I was on that side, now on this side of the player meeting, I've always seen them as a great opportunity for the players to openly and honestly give their opinions."
"You have 150, 200 players. That only happens once, maybe twice a year. Last weekend they were very vocal about a number of issues, but that is not new. I mean, I've been in plenty of player meetings where the guys get in there and voice frustrations."
He said it was a positive that the players had strong opinions of the future of the game.
"I saw it as a very constructive meeting where I want to encourage guys to speak openly in that forum, speak openly with me," Drewett said.
"I think, as I said, there's always some issues around. There is some frustration on certain points within the game. Nothing's ever perfect in any world, and certainly not in the tennis world."
"I think the game is clearly in a great spot. That doesn't mean there's not always going to be some issues on the side. That's for me to listen. I heard the players loud and clear the other night about their issues."
Drewett said the players' role within the game was as important as ever and he was determined that their opinions were heard.
"They're obviously a very, very important part of this organisation. As a former player, I hope I understand their issues as much as anyone. My plan is to represent their opinions wherever it needs to be represented and make sure they're heard," he said.
While most players have been asked about the united force behind the movement for reform, men's No.32 seed Alex Bogomolov Jr said earlier in the week that he favoured a strike.
"I am very excited as far as how the players were united. I've never been to a meeting like that before in my life," he said.
"I know all these guys for 12 years already. The way everybody is sticking by each other, the way everybody is on the same page, is inspiring."
"For me, again, 28 years old, I'm trying to sort of improve the game for the younger generation that's coming up, for the fans, for the tournaments."
"Everything has to grow. I'm part of that right now. I'm at the end of my career. We're trying to make it better for the guys coming up."