Tennis players voicing concerns about the increasingly packed calendar have been presented with a stark choice: either “invest in the circuit” or scale back by playing “fewer exhibitions and spending more time at home to rest.” This year, a growing chorus of complaints from top stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Iga Świątek has placed the spotlight on the sport’s demanding schedule.
Alcaraz, known for his candid remarks, jokingly warned that the current pace of the tour could “kill us.” Reflecting on the sheer volume of mandatory tournaments, the Spanish sensation commented, “I’m the kind of player who thinks there are a lot of tournaments during the year, and probably over the next few years, the number of mandatory events will increase. So, I mean, they’re probably going to kill us in some way.” Alcaraz pointed to a rise in injuries, attributing them to a combination of the physical toll of the game, the heavy schedule, and the ever-increasing demands of the calendar.
Zverev also weighed in, accusing ATP leadership of prioritizing financial gains over player welfare. Meanwhile, Iga Świątek, five-time Grand Slam champion, didn’t hold back in criticizing the schedule, calling it “crazy” and “scary.” Świątek expanded on her concerns, noting, “Our calendar is crazy, probably the toughest one in sports. There are other sports where the physical demands are high, but most of them have four to six months off. Our schedule is intense and only getting more overwhelming, which is terrifying. We just have to train smarter.”
There have been calls from various quarters to overhaul the current system, with suggestions to reduce the number of mandatory tournaments or even cut down on the ATP 250 events. However, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi made it clear that such changes are easier said than done. He also took aim at players who have participated in exhibition events, questioning their commitment to the regular circuit.
Despite his complaints about the busy calendar, Alcaraz himself played in exhibition events in Las Vegas, Saudi Arabia, and Charlotte this season. Gaudenzi responded, “It’s not like football or basketball where players are employed by a club. Our players are self-employed and can decide their schedule. Yes, the ranking system incentivizes them to compete, but the key events, the Grand Slams, the Masters 1000, and the ATP Finals, are what matter most.” He pointed out that the Masters 1000 events have been strengthened, and the format now requires just one more match to win compared to the previous structure.
He added, “Players often choose to participate in exhibitions outside of the official circuit, something we don’t see in other sports. The real question is whether they want to invest their energy into the official tour or these off-circuit events.” Gaudenzi further suggested that reducing the season could indeed be an option, but it would likely involve cutting ATP 250 tournaments. Ultimately, he stated, “Players can always decide to play fewer exhibitions and take more time to rest at home if they feel the need.