The debate surrounding the hectic ATP Tour schedule has continued to rumble on throughout a busy 2025 season.
Several high-profile players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, have suggested that the ATP Tour schedule is too long.
Holger Rune slammed the ATP Tour schedule ahead of his Achille injury, and many have suggested extending the off-season.
In 2024, Daniil Medvedev suggested a change that he was certain would benefit the best players on the ATP Tour.
Daniil Medvedev’s idea for the ATP schedule
During the ATP Finals in 2024, Medvedev suggested a change to help the biggest stars on the tour to receive a longer break at the end of the season.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
“This year I only tried to play big tournaments. I think there should be more bigger, important tournaments, which should be like, ‘Okay, these are the tournaments where we define who is going to be top 10, like Masters 1000.
“You play good in them, you will be there. The schedule should somehow be around them. Then you put all the 250s after for people that want to continue playing. If you’re good enough, you finish the season in whatever, October, play in Masters.
“Doesn’t matter. Don’t count the tournaments after. If you still feel like you need more points for Australian Open or more matches, you do it after.”
The season currently ends with several Masters tournaments in Paris and Shanghai, as well as the ATP Finals.
Several players have complained about the lack of off-season on the ATP Tour, including top players Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz.
How many days off have the top players had?
The final of the ATP Finals took place on 16 November, while the official start of the 2026 season is 2 January when the United Cup begins.
What is your bold prediction for the 2026 tennis season?
Alcaraz and Sinner, who played the final of the ATP Finals, are not playing the competition, but some of the other top players on the tour are.
Fritz, de Minaur, and Felix Auger-Aliassime will all beginning their 2026 campaign by representing their country at the United Cup.
This means those players have had around 50 days off as an off-season before they are expected to play competitively for the next 11 months.
