“I’m not a fan of where this is going” – Alexander Zverev slams ATP; joins Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz & more in criticizing hectic schedule
Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3, has joined a growing chorus of top tennis players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz, in criticizing the ATP’s increasingly demanding schedule, particularly the extended two-week Masters 1000 format and mandatory tournament requirements. Speaking on the Nothing Major Podcast on August 2, 2025, Zverev expressed frustration, stating, “I’m not a fan of where this is going… I have not heard a single player say that they love the two-week Masters events. I don’t even think fans like that. They don’t like waiting for two days for their favourite player to play again.”
Zverev’s comments highlight the ATP’s packed calendar, which includes nine mandatory Masters 1000 events (seven now spanning two weeks, except Monte Carlo and Paris Bercy), four Grand Slams, and a new rule requiring top-30 players to compete in four ATP 500 events, up from three. He argued that the schedule leaves little room for rest, citing Alex de Minaur’s example: “He played his last match at Davis Cup on November 25 and his first at the United Cup on December 27. You have a month of offseason—how are you going to take two weeks off?” This sentiment is echoed by players like Alcaraz, who at the 2024 Laver Cup admitted struggling with motivation due to the 11-month season, and Fritz, who criticized the ATP 500 mandate after a draining Wimbledon semifinal run into the Citi DC Open.
The two-week Masters format, introduced in Miami (1997), Indian Wells (2004), and expanded to Madrid, Rome, Shanghai, and now the Canadian and Cincinnati Opens, has drawn particular ire. Zverev praised the one-week Paris Bercy, where he won in 2024, saying, “You play your five matches and get out. You don’t have to practice in between. That’s how Masters events used to be, and all the players loved it.” Posts on X, like @TheTennisLetter’s, amplified Zverev’s view that the extended format lacks fan and player support, questioning its business viability.
ATP chief Andrea Gaudenzi responded in a December 2024 L’Equipe interview, suggesting players could skip exhibitions to manage workloads, noting, “Players are independent contractors and can decide their own schedule.” However, Zverev, Alcaraz, and others, including Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, argue the mandatory commitments—17 major events plus four ATP 500s—make a reduced schedule nearly impossible. Alcaraz, after skipping the 2025 Canadian Open alongside Sinner and Djokovic, emphasized the old one-week format allowed more rest, stating at the 2025 Barcelona Open, “Some will think two weeks give rest days, but that’s not the case.”
Zverev’s 500th ATP win in Toronto (6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2 over Matteo Arnaldi) underscores his ability to compete at a high level despite scheduling concerns, but his call for reform reflects a broader player push for a sustainable calendar to prioritize health and performance.
