Fresh off capturing his 21st career trophy and second China Open title, Jannik Sinner weighed in on the ongoing debate over the demanding tennis calendar.
With top players like Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek and Carlos Alcaraz publicly expressing concerns about the season’s intensity, Sinner offered his perspective on how players might manage the balance between mandatory events and personal health.
Why Are Top Players Like Jannik Sinner, Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz Speaking Out on the Tour Calendar?
Speaking after his victorious run in Beijing, where he defeated Marin Čilić, qualifier Terence Atmane, Fabian Marozsán, third seed Alex de Minaur and Learner Tien en route to his third title of the season, the Italian addressed questions about the growing controversy over tournament scheduling.
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The conversation around tennis scheduling has intensified in recent weeks. Świątek voiced her frustration during the Asian swing, describing the WTA tour as “crazy” and hinting that she may skip mandatory tournaments in the future to prioritize her well-being.
She criticized the requirement for top players to compete in four Grand Slams, ten WTA 1000 events, and several 500-level tournaments, saying it leaves little room for recovery, especially in the latter part of the season.
Alcaraz, after his Japan Open triumph and subsequent withdrawal from the Shanghai Masters, echoed similar concerns. He described the ATP calendar as “too tight” with “too many mandatory tournaments in a row,” acknowledging that even top-ranked players must consider their physical limits.
Gauff also sided with Świątek and Alcaraz, stating that while mandatory tournaments make sense from a business perspective, they are unrealistic for players trying to maintain peak performance throughout a grueling season.
Sinner, who is heading to Shanghai next, was asked during a post-match press conference about his take on the scheduling debate. He replied, “Yeah, you have sometimes to jump some tournaments. You can always choose. That’s why I say, yes, they’re mandatory, but at the end of the day you can still choose. I chose always or I will keep still choosing for my best.”
Looking ahead, Sinner will make in third appearance in Shanghai, where he is the defending champion. The top seed received a bye into the second round, where he will take on Daniel Altmaier. This will mark their third encounter on the ATP Tour, with both players having won one match each so far.
