Tennis Tournament Expansion Sparks Player Concerns

Tennis Tournaments Expand, Sparking Debate Among Players

The expansion of Madrid and Rome tennis tournaments from eight to nearly two weeks has brought mixed reactions. While organizers have seen increased revenue and fan engagement, top players have expressed concerns about the extended schedule.

The two-week format, similar to Grand Slams, has added more competition days, ticket sales, TV time, and revenue. However, players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Victoria Azarenka have voiced their weariness over the extended time on the road.

They argue that the Masters-level tournaments, while modeled after Grand Slams, lack the same prestige and serve primarily as warmups for Roland Garros. The longer schedule, they say, puts a strain on their bodies and limits their time for rest and recovery.

"We wanted more drama and then we stretched the drama a bit too much," said Azarenka. "It's too long."

The expansion has also raised concerns about player injuries. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, two of the tour's top young players, recently withdrew from Rome with injuries. However, some players, like Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal, believe the injuries are not directly related to the longer tournaments.

"I like this two-week format," said Medvedev. "I like when there is a day off."

Nadal added, "We accept that role" of making money for tournaments and players.

The Cincinnati Open will also adopt the two-week format next year, increasing the draw size from 64 to 96 players. While the format benefits lower-ranked players who get more opportunities to play in main draws, top players remain skeptical.

"It's not great for Top 10 players," said Alexander Zverev. "A day between matches, if you're at a different place, that's not resting."

The debate over the expanded schedule is likely to continue as organizers and players seek a balance between fan engagement and player well-being.

Tags: #Tennis, #MadridOpen, #RomeMasters, #TwoWeekFormat, #PlayerFatigue