Tsitsipas Sounds Alarm on Tennis Toll

Stefanos Tsitsipas warns tennis authorities that extended two-week Masters tournaments are harming the sport. Following Djokovic and Nadal's early exits at the Italian Open and Alcaraz and Sinner's pre-tournament withdrawals, Tsitsipas believes players will continue to suffer physically due to the prolonged schedule.

The debate surrounding the extended Masters 1000 tournaments has intensified recently, with events like Madrid and Rome now spanning nearly a month due to expanded draws and formats. These tournaments, along with others, have extended to 12-to-13 days.

Tsitsipas has emphasized that the revised format is taking a toll on players' bodies. When asked if the recent upsets presented an opportunity to seize victories at Rome and the French Open, the 25-year-old steered the discussion toward the broader issue.

"Well, this is the current reality. It's concerning that these challenges are affecting top players, which ultimately impacts the overall spectacle," he remarked after advancing to the last 16.

"While there are talented players waiting in the wings, tournaments of this stature thrive with the participation of these iconic names, entertaining large crowds in grand stadiums."

Tsitsipas posits that the absence of marquee players in Rome might directly result from the lengthened competition schedule. He elaborated, "I've consistently highlighted the toll this schedule exacts on us. It starts with mental strain and inevitably affects us physically.

"The elongation of Masters 1000 events significantly contributes to players' susceptibility to injuries. Even with the previous seven-day format, it was demanding. Extending it further necessitates almost superhuman consistency across consecutive 10-day tournaments. It's a formidable task."

In a subtle critique of tennis governing bodies, the Greek star emphasized the need for decisions that prioritize player welfare over the demands of extended two-week events.

"I hope we don't witness more of these incidents in the future due to an unaltered schedule that fails to accommodate players' needs."

In addition to Alcaraz and Sinner's withdrawals from Rome, Daniil Medvedev, Jiri Lehecka, and Jakub Mensik retired mid-match in Madrid. Lehecka subsequently joined Alcaraz and Sinner in withdrawing from the Italian Open.