Alcaraz once again addressed the overly packed ATP schedule, while Thiem stated that people should not blame players too much for participating in exhibition matches.

At the pre-tournament media session for the Paris Masters, Alcaraz reiterated his concerns about the calendar, saying that the continuous weekly tennis events leave players with no chance to recover, which must be addressed going forward.

“I can’t exactly say what the perfect number of tournaments per season is, but the ATP certainly has to take steps to improve the scheduling,” Carlos Alcaraz, the world No.1, stated frankly at the Paris Masters press conference.

The Spanish star emphasized, “We have to play too many tour events, leaving almost no time to focus on training or proper rest. The entire season is just week after week of competing, and we don’t have enough time to prepare thoroughly for upcoming tournaments.”

As one of today’s top tennis players, Alcaraz feels the burden of the number of matches deeply. He admitted, “Even during the season, it feels like we’re playing every single week without a chance to have a full week to prepare or understand what’s coming next in the calendar.”

This issue has worsened as the tennis season continues to expand. Recently, the ATP announced a new Masters tournament in Saudi Arabia starting in 2028, adding yet another major event that players must attend.

The dense schedule not only affects players’ preparation but also increases fatigue and injury risks. Alcaraz himself has struggled with an ankle injury, forcing him to withdraw from this year’s Shanghai Masters.

However, it is worth noting that many believe a significant reason players complain about the packed schedule is because it interferes with their participation in lucrative exhibition matches.

At the recent “Six Kings Grand Slam” held in Riyadh, although Alcaraz finished as runner-up, he still earned a $1.5 million appearance fee—an amount even higher than the prize money he won at the Tokyo Open.

Such financial incentives make it difficult for players to decline invitations to exhibitions, even while they complain about the demanding official schedule.

In response, last year’s retired Grand Slam champion Thiem defended players who take part in exhibitions: “I don’t think you can really blame players; very few would turn down that kind of money.”

Thiem pointed out that a tennis player’s prime career span is very limited, and most players have focused solely on tennis from a young age, lacking other professional skills.

“Among the top 100 players in the world, probably 99 don’t have a high school diploma. You have to seize every opportunity to earn a living financially.”

Thiem also revealed the high financial barriers to becoming a professional tennis player: “Tennis is a sport for the wealthy; from ages 13 to 18, young players spend $80,000 to $100,000 annually. When you start playing junior Grand Slams, you travel 30 to 35 weeks a year but have no income.”

Alcaraz’s complaints about the schedule sparked intense debate among fans on social media. Some expressed dissatisfaction with the world No.1’s remarks.

One fan questioned on social media, “He participates in the Laver Cup and exhibitions everywhere; what right does he have to complain about the schedule?”

“Maybe, just maybe, skipping some exhibitions would allow for more rest,” another fan suggested.

Another fan directly pointed out, “If he really has issues with the schedule, then why participate in the Six Kings exhibition?”

Although Alcaraz highlighted the problem, he also admitted that there is no clear solution yet. Thus, players face a dilemma: follow an idealized tournament plan or seize immediate earning opportunities.

As the tennis season keeps expanding, this debate is likely to continue. Alcaraz, as the world No.1, speaking out will undoubtedly push the ATP to seriously consider players’ match load.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)