Alex de Minaur has declared that the current tennis schedule and power balance in the sport is “not normal”, as he revealed that leading players are now in talks with the Grand Slams in a growing push to force major reform in the game.
The Australian No. 1, affectionately known as the Demon, lifted the lid on emerging conversations between tennis’ biggest stars and the sport’s most influential tournaments, aimed at addressing long-standing concerns around scheduling, player welfare, prize money and the overall direction of the sport.
“It takes its toll”
Speaking candidly, de Minaur made it clear that the physical and mental demands being placed on players have reached unsustainable levels.
“It’s not normal what we’re doing,” he said, referencing the packed tennis calendar that leaves little recovery time between major tournaments, international travel and four gruelling Grand Slams each season.
His comments echo growing frustration on both the ATP and WTA tours, with top-ranked players increasingly speaking out about burnout, injury risk, and a season structure they feel prioritises product over people.
Players unite for change
De Minaur also confirmed that top-tier players from both tours are now in discussions with the Grand Slam tournaments, a significant development in a sport where power has historically been fragmented.
While he did not reveal every name at the negotiating table, his statements underline a rare moment of unity among tennis’ elite — and a potential shifting point in the sport’s internal politics.
The talks are believed to focus on four major areas:
- Shortening or restructuring the tennis season
- Improving player welfare and recovery windows
- Greater player involvement in decision-making
- Reassessing revenue and prize-money distribution
A growing movement
While de Minaur is now among the most outspoken voices, he is far from alone.
Multiple leading players have recently raised concerns about tour demands, with others previously calling for:
- Better financial transparency
- A fairer share of tournament revenue
- More influence over scheduling decisions
- Stronger protection against burnout and injury
The new dialogue with the Grand Slams signals that these frustrations have moved beyond public comments and into organised action.
Why it matters
The Grand Slams — the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open — generate the sport’s biggest revenues and carry enormous influence over the tennis calendar.
If the most marketable players in the world are now collectively pushing back, tournament organisers face a crossroads: adapt to concerns, or risk escalating tension with the very stars that keep the sport thriving.
De Minaur’s message was clear — the current model is no longer sustainable.
A turning point for tennis?
For years, tennis players have operated under intense physical strain, inconsistent scheduling logic and limited input into key decisions. Now, as the sport enters a new era of athlete empowerment, the message from its stars is getting louder:
The system needs to change — and soon.
With the Demon leading the charge and top players increasingly aligned, tennis may be closer than ever to a defining shift in how the sport is run.
