Tennis’ ever-increasing schedule has been a real bone of contention for years now, as an issue that inexplicably only continues to grow.
Despite the vocal complaints from so many people now, nothing ever changes, with some of the sport’s biggest names having emerged to condemn the situation.
Carlos Alcaraz is the latest, who actually referenced the problem whilst speaking on court after his Davis Cup match just yesterday.
Carlos Alcaraz reacts to busy tennis schedule after Davis Cup match
The Spaniard is renowned for his unbridled positivity, seldom pictured without a smile plastered across his face.
However, on this occasion, the subject matter of his words was far more serious than his upbeat demeanour suggested.
In fact, he even sadly admitted how the expanding nature of the tennis calendar afforded him no time at all for the tournaments he loves to play, or for enough rest at times too.
He claimed, after beating Tomas Mahac: ‘Honestly it’s a special feeling for me playing here in Valencia at the Davis Cup. I missed it last year.
‘As I said many times, the schedule in tennis is really tight. There are a lot of tournaments I love to play. But sometimes I can’t do it. Last year this was the case for me. Missing the Davis Cup. But this year I’m really excited about it. It’s a really special feeling for me.’
So many high-profile names have complained about the schedule
It’s quite ridiculous that so many high-profile names, whether it be players, pundits or former stars of the sport, can all agree on this issue. Yet, nothing ever changes.
As is always the way, money comes first, but it’s worth questioning why the decision-makers would rather prioritise playing more tournaments over getting the best out of their elite players with a freer calendar.
Iga Swiatek has condemned the tennis schedule many times before, recently pondering even taking a break from the sport: ‘I mean, I don’t want to take a break. It’s tough. It could be a bit easier but I am keeping up with the schedule.
‘I am only talking about mandatory tournaments and there are rules about them. I am ready forto play until November unless I am going to get injured.’
And, just after the US Open, Andy Roddick complained about the tennis calendar as well: ‘The Olympic hangover was real and at some point in tennis… I don’t know who’s responsible for it,’ Roddick said. ‘Maybe we all are and it’s just plausible deniability if we can get away with it. But, the schedule in tennis has to give.
‘We keep adding and nothing gets taken away. Something has to give. It just drives me crazy.’
With so many people piping up, surely, as Roddick suggests, something has got to give. It will likely only take something catastrophic to occur before meaningful change is made though, and by then, it will already be too late.
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