The American argues why it is compatible and necessary to complain about the overloaded schedule without it preventing playing exhibitions.
It’s the hot topic in today’s tennis world: the extreme demand of the ATP calendar and the obligation for the world’s best players to compete in many tournaments in a season. The latest to speak out has been Taylor Fritz, in a sporadic conversation that arose on social media with former tennis player John Millman. Both bring interesting perspectives.
The constant demands of elite players requesting changes in the ATP calendar often come with bitter criticism from generalist fans, who are detached from the tennis reality and don’t fully understand their demands. It is logical and normal for this to happen when those same players are seen competing in exhibitions during the offseason or in weeks where they could rest. In order to shed light on this, as Alcaraz already attempted to do in Beijing this same week, Taylor Fritz has responded to John Millman in an interesting exchange of messages on the X social network.
There have always been demands for a shorter calendar, but it is hard to sell that reality when, on off weeks, many players participate in exhibitions. It should be considered that those off weeks could be needed by more modest players to earn points and money in Challengers and Futures,” argued the Australian former tennis player, opening an interesting debate, but without addressing the focus of the protests led by the world’s best players.
And what they all say is that there cannot be so many mandatory tournaments throughout the year, without reducing events in all categories, which are essential for those not in the top of the ranking to develop their season and earn money. Millman maintains a point of view typical of a player of his rank, arguing that extending the Masters 1000 to two weeks is positive because it distributes more money, something that the world’s best players do not entirely agree with since it means more weeks of competition.
– Fritz argues that playing exhibitions has nothing to do with the demand of competing
Although the Australian agrees with what Taylor Fritz says, he warns that it is not easy for a fan to understand those complaints when they see them competing in exhibitions. He believes that what the ATP should do is pay the top players on the circuit better so they don’t feel the need to go play in exhibitions and earn unattainable monetary amounts in regular circuit tournaments. In any case, the viewpoint of the American is very interesting.
I agree that its tough for the tour to shorten the schedule when players will just play Exos to fill the time, and I’ve seen a lot of people criticizing some of the players asking for a shorter season because they go and play Exos. I don’t understand that part of the argument,… — Taylor Fritz (@Taylor_Fritz97) September 27, 2024
“I agree that it’s hard for the ATP to shorten the calendar while seeing the top players participating in exhibitions on their off weeks. I have seen many criticize players who call for changes in the calendar and then compete in these unofficial events, but I don’t understand that argument because exhibitions have nothing to do with competing in an ATP event, in terms of physical and mental demands. A tournament can involve more than 5 days of playing at your best and being completely focused on and off the court, while in an exhibition, you show up, entertain the crowd, and leave. It is very similar to a rest week. I do not expect fans to fully understand this because it is difficult to grasp the mental and physical fatigue that comes with competing at the highest level, but I hope the players do.”
Statements like these should help fans interested in this matter take a moment to reflect and realize that there is much more to competing on the court and that the demand for the world’s best players on the ATP circuit is significant, being perfectly compatible with calling for changes while seeking personal enrichment during off weeks through exhibitions, even though this may be surprising in some cases.
