Tennis Stars Slam Packed Schedule
Top Tennis Stars Criticize Grueling Schedule Amid Injuries and Withdrawals
Tennis’ demanding calendar is back in the spotlight after world number one Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Shanghai Masters to rest, while a spate of injuries was reported at the China Open.
Alcaraz, along with Grand Slam champions Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, voiced concerns this week over the sheer number of tournaments players are expected to compete in.
Speaking in Shanghai, where he lost last year’s final to Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic called the situation “very complex,” noting that similar complaints have been raised for years without meaningful change.
“More than 15 years ago, I was talking about us needing to come together and reorganize the schedule,” said the 38-year-old 24-time Grand Slam champion. “It’s an individual sport… at the end of the day, you can still make choices.”
However, Djokovic also criticized the lack of collective action among players. “There are people who just don’t want to change things in our sport for the better, particularly when it comes to players’ welfare,” he said. “Players are still not united enough or investing enough time and energy into making change happen. You need the top players, particularly, to sit down, roll up their sleeves, and really care.”
Djokovic will begin his Shanghai campaign on Friday against Croatia’s Marin Cilic, ranked 94th. The Serbian star returns after a four-week break, having reduced the number of tournaments he plays to prolong his career at the top. He last competed at the US Open in early September, where he was ousted in the semi-finals by Alcaraz.
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