Tennis
Carlos Alcaraz Attacks Jam-Packed ATP Scheduling, and Says it is “Going to Kill Us”
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Get to know Charlie Rhodes betterPublished15 hours ago on September 22, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz has launched a scathing review of the unrelenting ATP schedule, and claims it is “going to kill” competitors.
Carlos Alcaraz Slams ATP Schedule
Few are better equipped to deal with the ATP Tour schedule than Carlos Alcaraz – no matter the seemingly unworkable gaps between tournaments, the Spaniard has the physical conditioning and near-freakish stamina to stomach it.
However, even the three-time Grand Slam winner is now feeling the effects of elite level tennis.
The 21-year-old is currently competing in Berlin amid the ongoing Laver Cup between Europe and the rest of the world, which brings his total tournament appearances up to 14 across 2024.
Alcaraz is not one to shy away from potentially overstretching himself – the reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion has featured in 50 singles matches this year, including a long run at the Olympics in the summer to extend the typical schedule.
“Probably they are going to kill us in some way,” said Alcaraz following Saturday’s straight-sets victory over Ben Shelton.
Alcaraz went on to express his concern over player welfare, adding that “right now there are a lot of injuries.”
“Right now a lot of good players are going to miss a lot of tournaments because of that.”
Aside from a spate of injuries as of late, the world number three also said the jam-packed scheduling means it is becoming increasingly difficult.
“Sometimes, you don’t want to go to a tournament. I’m not going to lie – I have felt this way a few times already.
“Sometimes I don’t feel motivated at all. But as I’ve said many, many times, I play my best tennis when I smile and enjoy it on court. That’s the best option to keep motivating (myself).”
Alexander Zverev, who recently jumped above Alcaraz and just behind Jannik Sinner to become the world number two, concurred with Alcaraz’s comments and had some choice words to say about the Tour.
“The ATP doesn’t care about our opinion – it’s a money business,” said Zverev.
“It’s the longest season in sports. It’s unnecessarily long. We have an unnecessary amount of tournaments.
“We’re not allowed to boycott, we get fined if we don’t play tournaments – the tour goes on without you.
“We need to do something about it. It’s not an easy solution, but a solution which needs to be made.”