Concerns Over Tennis Schedule
Australian tennis player Alex De Minaur voiced serious concerns about the demanding nature of the tournament schedule after his exit from the French Open on Thursday. Following a five-set second-round match defeat against Alexander Bublik, De Minaur emphasized the urgent need for changes in the tennis calendar to prevent athlete burnout, both physically and mentally.
Relentless Pace of the Season
The season commenced with the United Cup in December, only 33 days after the conclusion of the Davis Cup Finals in Spain, highlighting the relentless pace of the tennis season. This grueling schedule has raised alarms among players, prompting calls for reform.
“There’s no clear solution in sight,” De Minaur remarked, reflecting on his experiences over the past few years. “But it’s pretty straightforward: the schedule needs to be shortened. It’s unusual that I get only two days off after the Davis Cup before jumping into pre-season and immediately starting again. Once the season kicks off, it drags on until November 24. It’s an endless cycle, and I’m still grappling with it now.”
De Minaur asserted that without adjustment, many players risk shortening their careers due to emotional and physical exhaustion caused by the current tournament demands.
Echoing Sentiments from Other Players
His sentiments were echoed by Casper Ruud, a twice French Open finalist, who described the ATP ranking system as a “rat race.” Ruud voiced his frustrations after unexpectedly losing to the unseeded Nuno Borges, revealing that he had been playing through knee discomfort.
“It certainly feels like a rat race regarding rankings,” Ruud said. “There’s an expectation to compete in those crucial events set by the ATP. Missing them can result in significant penalties, making it less appealing to take time off, which isn’t fair.”
Moreover, Ruud highlighted that a player’s end-of-year bonus could be reduced by 25% for missing mandatory tournaments, reiterating the unfair pressures athletes face.
“You’re practically coerced into participating even if you’re injured or unwell,” he added.
The ATP has been contacted for a response to these pressing concerns raised by these prominent players, who are advocating for a review of the existing tournament structure to better safeguard player health and well-being.
