The intense and overflowing schedules of the ATP and WTA tours have ignited a fiery debate among players and fans alike. Rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek have already voiced their concerns about the grueling demands of the tour, and now they have gained an unexpected ally in former tennis player CoCo Vandeweghe. Vandeweghe’s candid critique of the harsh scheduling adds weight to the conversation, raising crucial questions about player well-being.
Over time, the role of WTA’s “mandatory” events has changed dramatically. WTA players are obligated to compete in 21 tournaments annually under the current rules. This consists of ten WTA 1000-level competitions in addition to four major Grand Slam tournaments. Top players must participate in six WTA 500-level tournaments in addition to these 14 well-known events.
During the October 27 live podcast episode of the Tennis Channel, CoCo Vandeweghe discussed the critical problems related to the demanding schedules of the WTA and ATP tours. Vandeweghe offered insightful information about the psychological and physical toll that such rigorous schedules may have on athletes because of her personal experience as a professional athlete.
She stated, “I think, yes, I think it’s becoming too redundant at this point in the schedule where it just, it just keeps happening over and over again. And most of the top players are saying, we’re gonna wait for the finals or we have Billie Jean King cup and they’re, they’re highlighting those important tournaments. So what are the important tournaments out there?”
Previously, prominent tennis players like Iga Swiatek have expressed their frustrations with scheduling issues, which have been a recurring issue in the sport. Swiatek expressed her unease about the overwhelming number of tournaments throughout the season, stating, “I think we have too many tournaments in the season. It’s not going to end well. It makes tennis less fun for us. Obviously, I love playing in all these places, but it’s pretty exhausting.”
CoCo Vandeweghe previously also addressed the WTA’s mandatory events and the new rules implemented by the organization during the TC Live Podcast. “I think it’s ridiculous that the WTA is asking all these players to play these many events. I went through this personally,” she remarked.
Not only that, even Carlos Alcaraz has raised a similar concern, highlighting how the hectic schedule can create a problem for the players.
Carlos Alcaraz’s strong statement on ATP’s hectic scheduling
While the majority of the biggest events have already taken place, the final third of the season is shaping up to be a hectic one for players. Carlos Alcaraz, speaking at the Laver Cup press conference, expressed his feelings about the rushed schedule, noting that the intense back-to-back tournaments can be physically and mentally taxing.
He stated, “I’m the kind of player who thinks there are a lot of tournaments during the year, mandatory tournament, and probably during the next few years gonna be even more tournaments, more mandatory tournaments. So, I mean, probably they are going to kill us in some way (smiling).”
With support from fellow players like Iga Swiatek and insights from former pros like CoCo Vandeweghe, the dialogue surrounding the ATP and WTA’s scheduling practices is more crucial than ever. Moreover, the growing chorus of voices advocating for change highlights the need for a more balanced and sustainable approach for the players.