In recent months, several ATP tour players and several WTA tour players have complained about the excessive number of tournaments during the year. Players claim that too much is played with the relative trips, a factor which prevents them from resting as much as they would need to and which increases the risk of injury.
Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz, Six Kings Slam 2024© Stream screenshot
During the Laver Cup in Berlin in September, four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz and new world number 2 Alexander Zverev were very tough on the tennis calendar, stating that no other sport has a season as long. For those of you playing the Davis Cup Finals, the year ends in late November and there’s not enough time to do all the necessary things during the off-season. The first events of the new season are already set at the end of December and the long journey to Australia is planned, which must be made just in advance to get used to the conditions and to eliminate the time zone.
The discourse is not so different with reference to the WTA tour. The feeling is that with Saudi Arabia’s increasing interest in the world of tennis there will be many changes in the near future and it is not excluded that the schedule of both tours may be completely overturned.
A tricky topic
At the end of this season, the theme of the calendar will certainly be further developed and new solutions will be sought to balance the interests of all parties involved. Just over 6 months after her retirement from tennis, Garbine Muguruza has returned to play a leading role in the circuit. This time the former Grand Slam champion plays the role of director of the WTA Finals, an important and challenging role, but also very stimulating for her.
In an interview, the Spanish woman had the opportunity to share her fans about her life after retirement, also dwelling on the continuous complaints of some tennis players about their busy schedule: “This opportunity was very unexpected, I did not expect it at all. I feel very honored that the WTA has thought of me in this way, that they have entrusted me with this responsibility. For me it is a very big thing, to move from tennis to another perspective, to deal with events. I think the players will feel comfortable talking to me. It’s a very different thing this year, having a familiar face that they can trust and feel safe,” she told The National News.
Garbine Muguruza© YouTube screenshot
She continued, marveling at the hard work and care behind every tournament: “I am impressed by the amount of work and the attention to detail. When you are a gambler you don’t realize all this. You’re like a horse, focused, but I’m learning a lot about the industry, the business of this sport.
I am realizing that tennis is not a very strong sport in the country (Saudi Arabia). Now there will be movement with all the tournaments, all the activities and the influence,” he said. Finally, the Muguruza is critical of those who complain about their many tournaments: “You are not obliged to play all the tournaments. It’s great to have so many tournaments, so many opportunities for players who are not in the top 50 or 10. Then you can make your own schedule.
I don’t think there is any reason to complain, quite the contrary. You make your own calendar and know your own capacity. Especially if you’re winning a lot of matches, you say to yourself: “Okay, maybe I should relax here, maybe I should go harder here,” he concluded.
Top players complain
In the men’s tour, one of the most critical players towards the calendar was certainly Carlitos Alcaraz. The 21-year-old Spaniard – who has won two Grand Slam titles and a Masters 1000 this year – expressed his sincere concern for the physical condition of the players if no changes are made soon.
Carlos Alcaraz, Paris Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
“The seasons become long physically and mentally, and these tournaments help me feel like myself on the court again. There are few events left until the end of the year, but I am very eager to gradually feel better,” the former World No.1 stated. “Many believe that this is a good calendar, but others think there are too many mandatory tournaments and there will probably be years with even more.
In a way, they are killing us. Right now there are many players injured due to the calendar and other factors, but at some point, there will be players who will have to skip tournaments because they have to take care of their bodies, families, and other aspects of life besides tennis” – he concluded.