(CNN) -- Are the world's top male players playing too much tennis? It is a question that has been asked frequently over the years, but recent comments from world number three Andy Murray, and former world number one Andy Roddick, have indicated the matter could be coming to a head.





With a schedule that runs from the beginning of January to the end of November, taking in 65 singles tournaments, the ATP World Tour came under scrutiny like never before when Murray hinted that the world's top players were prepared to take strike action in an attempt to modify the calendar.





"We're only proposing small changes, a few less mandatory events and some more rest periods," said Murray. "Tennis is in a great place right now but there are just a few minor things we'd like to see changed and we hope to sit with the ATP and other officials and discuss them. Two or three more weeks off a season is really what we are thinking of."





And Murray's comments were backed up by Roddick, who told reporters: "It's a more physical game than it used to be, but the season is longer than ever.





"I don't think we're storming offices, but I think the sentiment is still there. We need to be smart about it and take our time and make sure that it's well thought out and not be kind of reactionary. But, you know, there is a discussion going on."





The absence of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic from the recent Shanghai Masters indicates, in Roddick's opinion, that the demands are too harsh on the top players. "They don't get their money this week. If they were feeling well and they weren't worn down, then they would be here," he continued.





"We're not getting away with anything by pulling out of tournaments. I feel like that's the way it's presented sometimes. That's just not the case," he added.





The lowdown





Yet, despite the claims of both Murray and Roddick, the facts show that the number of singles tournaments has actually fallen over the last 11 years.





In year 2000 there were 69 ATP Tour singles events, however, that figure steadily decreased during the last decade and since 2007 it has remained static on its current number.





And, for those 65 events, there has been a significant increase in the prize money on offer from the ATP Tour, with prize funds set to exceed $90 million for the first time by 2014.





So why are is there a perception that players are playing more tournaments, than ever before?





Somebody who knows all about the rigors of the ATP Tour is Australian Mark Woodforde. The 46-year-old won a remarkable 67 doubles titles, many alongside compatriot Todd Woodbridge, with the duo completing the grand slam of all four major doubles titles.





In addition to this, Woodforde also managed to win four singles titles, reaching a career-high 19th in the world in 1996, and has first hand knowledge of how demanding the circuit can be.





"When I was playing and performing well in both singles and doubles, the calendar issue was raised even then," Woodforde told CNN. "What with Davis Cup ties, the Olympics etc, you never felt like there was any time to take a breather, it was full on.





"The weeks off were cherished. As an aspiring player, you play to gain experience -- and since you may not survive through to the end of a tournament, the toll is not as great on you physically or mentally. Losing first and second round matches can be replaced by simply entering another event to compensate," added Woodforde.





"Yet as a top player, you end up playing many more matches, the pressures are greater, you try to strike a healthy balance to prepare for excellence at the grand slams and it's a continual mounting of pressures."





The reaction





Woodforde also believes it a positive thing that today's players are campaigning together, although he does not necessarily believe
Andy Murray and who else are  among the players who want a reduction in tournaments? What do Andy Murray and Andy Roddick want? What does Mark Woodforde believe? What is coming under scrutiny? Who's schedule is coming under fierce scrutiny once again?
Roddick, a few less mandatory events it a positive thing that today's players are campaigning together, ATP World Tour the ATP World Tour
question: Andy Murray and who else are  among the players who want a reduction in tournaments?, answer: Roddick, | question: What do Andy Murray and Andy Roddick want?, answer: a few less mandatory events | question: What does Mark Woodforde believe?, answer: it a positive thing that today's players are campaigning together, | question: What is coming under scrutiny?, answer: ATP World Tour | question: Who's schedule is coming under fierce scrutiny once again?, answer: the ATP World Tour