Tennis, while appearing glamorous, can be an incredibly demanding profession due to the constant traveling and packed schedules, which can take a toll on players. This issue was recently highlighted by Carlos Alcaraz after his victory over Ben Shelton at the Laver Cup. Alcaraz expressed frustration with the scheduling, saying, “Probably they are going to kill us in some way.” His comments quickly gained attention, and his on-court rival, Jannik Sinner, later weighed in on the debate. However, Alcaraz didn’t seem to fully agree with Sinner’s stance.
Currently competing at the China Open, Alcaraz was asked during a press conference about his previous comments regarding the scheduling and its impact on energy levels. In response, the Spaniard said that he felt energized and motivated to play good tennis, aiming to win every tournament he participates in. He then addressed the broader issue of scheduling, using Sinner as an example.
Alcaraz remarked that many players have expressed concerns about the demanding schedule. However, he noted that after his own comments, there was no significant reaction from other players. He acknowledged that he had heard Sinner discuss the issue but pointed out that Sinner did not complain as strongly as others have. This seemed to imply that Alcaraz was surprised by Sinner’s relatively mild comments on the topic.
Before Alcaraz spoke out, British No. 1 Jack Draper had also raised concerns about the hectic tennis schedule, suggesting it could make it difficult for younger players to have long, successful careers. Draper highlighted how quickly the turnaround between events can be and suggested that many players in his position might choose not to compete in certain tournaments. Draper has played 49 singles matches this year, while Alcaraz has competed in 18 tournaments over the past 12 months, a schedule comparable to Novak Djokovic and slightly more than Alcaraz but still fewer than Alexander Zverev. Draper has also managed to play 23 tournaments despite dealing with injuries, while Federico Coria has played a record 33 tournaments among the top 100 players.
Additionally, in a recent podcast, Jon Wertheim compared Alcaraz’s current situation to that of Rafael Nadal when he was Alcaraz’s age. Wertheim suggested that Alcaraz, like a younger Nadal, faces significant strain from the tennis calendar, particularly as the year progresses. He noted that Alcaraz, similar to Nadal in his early career, seems to struggle with fatigue by late August. Wertheim pointed to Alcaraz’s loss at the US Open, suggesting that scheduling strain played a role in his “terrible defeat.” He mentioned that after the match, Alcaraz had expressed disappointment in his own mental resilience and remarked that he needed some time to rest.
With several tournaments still to come, including the year-end ATP Finals, Alcaraz’s challenging journey continues. The debate over whether the tennis calendar is becoming increasingly exhausting for players remains open, with differing opinions from Alcaraz and Sinner adding to the conversation. The broader question remains: Is the tennis season too grueling for players, especially the younger generation?
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