Frances Tiafoe is one of a number of withdrawals from the Madrid Open this year.
Tiafoe has not played since the ATP 250 tournament in Houston, despite being entered into both the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open.
The American’s withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters was unsurprising, as Tiafoe would have only had a day to travel from the States to Monaco.
However, Tiafoe pulling out of the Madrid Open was more of a surprise, but former top 10 player John Isner believes he knows the reason why, calling out an issue within tennis right now.
John Isner claims Frances Tiafoe would have played the Madrid Open if it was one week
The Madrid Open has been a two-week tournament since 2023, something that has been criticised by the likes of Carlos Alcaraz.
Isner also believes that this is increasing the number of withdrawals at tournaments like the Madrid Open, which is now one of seven two-week Masters 1000 events.
If you could change one rule in tennis what would it be and why?
The former Wimbledon semifinalist suggested that Tiafoe would have played in Madrid if it was a one-week tournament, pointing out the issues for American players in particular.
“It’s a product of the format, in my opinion,” Isner said on the Nothing Major Podcast. “Frances Tiafoe would play Madrid if it was a week-long event.
“He doesn’t mind clay, I think he is healthy. But you don’t want to go over there and be in Europe for 26 or 28 days before Roland Garros and have the possibility of playing three or four matches.
“It’s insane. It’s mentally exhausting and even if you win, everything is good, but then it’s another day off followed by another day off. It’s too long, everyone knows this. I know the revenue is probably up, yes, but this is brutal for the players and the quality is down.”
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How many ATP players have withdrawn from the Madrid Open?
Tiafoe is one of 10 withdrawals from the men’s singles draw at the Madrid Open this year, but the only one without a clear reason.
Other withdrawals include Carlos Alcaraz, who continues to struggle with a wrist injury, Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper.
Within this list are three American players, with Tiafoe being joined by Sebastian Korda and Taylor Fritz, both of whom had pre-existing physical issues.
| ATP players who have withdrawn from the Madrid Open | Reason given for withdrawal |
| Carlos Alcaraz | Wrist injury |
| Arthur Cazaux | Elbow injury |
| Novak Djokovic | Shoulder injury |
| Jack Draper | Knee injury |
| Taylor Fritz | Knee injury |
| Sebastian Korda | Back injury |
| Kamil Majchrzak | Knee injury |
| Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard | Wrist injury |
| Holger Rune | Achilles injury |
| Frances Tiafoe | No reason given |
This issue is even more exaggerated in the women’s singles draw at the Madrid Open, as 13 players have already pulled out.
The latest of those is another American in Amanda Anisimova, who pulled out due to a wrist injury.
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