Zverev: The current one-month break is insufficient, and the back-to-back schedule for 1000 events is a massive failure.

The German tennis star Zverev recently expressed strong doubts about the ATP's current scheduling, stating that the intense mandatory participation rules and the lengthy "bi-weekly" Masters events have severely compressed recovery time for players, making it extremely difficult to maintain peak competitive form.

In Zverev's opinion, the ideal number of tournaments for players should be between 18 to 20 per year to sustain good momentum in Grand Slam competitions. However, the current ATP schedule mandates that the top 30 players must compete in at least eight 1000 events and five 500 events each season, in addition to Grand Slam tournaments and the year-end finals, resulting in a minimum of 20 events per year for these players. If a player misses an event without valid justification, such as a medical exemption for injury or an age-related exemption, they will face fines and potential impacts on their year-end bonuses.

In response, Zverev admitted that it is unbelievable and simply unacceptable! "Currently, many ATP Masters events have changed to a two-week format, except for the Monte Carlo and Paris Masters! But honestly, those two are the best tournament weeks of the year, both for fans and players. The atmosphere at last year's Paris Masters was fantastic, and I say that not just because I won!" the German star remarked.

Zverev reminisced about the compact and efficient format of traditional 1000 events: "In the past, you could finish a 1000 event in just five matches, without needing to stay at the venue for long periods or conduct extra training during breaks. This is the format most players prefer." He cited De Minaur as an example, discussing the significant impact of the dense schedule on players' rest, admitting, "You know, he just finished the Davis Cup on November 25, but was back on the court for the United Cup by December 27. Players don't even have a full month for recovery; how can they prepare physically for the new season? This has become a luxury in today's tennis world."

Zverev fundamentally questioned the rationale behind the bi-weekly rule for 1000 events: "Honestly, I've never heard any player think this is a good idea, and I'm not even sure if fans truly welcome it. Who wants to wait two days just to see their favorite player compete again?" He acknowledged the existence of commercial considerations but insisted that "the current strategy clearly needs reevaluation," urging the ATP to address the widespread concerns among players.

In fact, the increasing pressure of the schedule in recent years has indeed caused a lot of suffering for many players. The reasons for this are twofold: on one hand, ATP and WTA have blindly expanded events for commercial interests, leading to a surge in the number of tournaments and consequently shortening the time intervals between different events, with gaps between tournaments becoming increasingly minimal; on the other hand, in a reality where motivating players to participate is unfeasible, they resort to "rule pressure" to force participation, which has resulted in increased player fatigue and injuries, with high-level competitions becoming scarcer. However, to maintain profitability, they have extended the duration of individual events, engaging in hunger marketing, which ultimately leads to a "double loss" rather than a win-win situation.

Zverev's sharp criticism highlights the growing sense of fatigue that is spreading throughout the tour, but this is also a stark reality. For instance, this year's Wimbledon and North American season used to have a break of over ten days for players to rest adequately, but now there is almost no gap between tournaments! Looking at the official posts from Cincinnati, the 1000 event starts in just three days, while the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup haven't even taken place yet. Imagine, the Rogers Cup just concluded, and the Cincinnati event has already begun, followed by another 14-day tournament. But this chaotic and tight schedule is merely for more profit.

What about the players' health? Players are overburdened with matches, and fans get to see thrilling competitions? That's why many top players like Sabalenka, Sinner, and Alcaraz have opted to skip the Rogers Cup, but most professional players do not have the same choice or capability! As the gears of commercial expansion continue to accelerate, the sustainability of players' physical and mental health, along with their competitive state, has become a core issue that the ATP cannot ignore.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)