Stefanos Tsitsipas recently shared his thoughts on the new ATP Masters 1000 format.
In 2024, most ATP and WTA 1000 tournaments stretched to two weeks, much like Grand Slams. However, unlike Grand Slams with their 128 players and longer matches for men, these tournaments have a different setup. Players are not happy about this change, as they feel it leaves them with little time to rest or train properly.
Some might think more days between matches would help players recover better , but the athletes don’t see it that way. They argue that real rest or training can’t happen during a tournament because they’re mostly just trying to bounce back from the last match. Even Andy Roddick has criticized this format on his podcast.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| gr Stefanos Tsitsipas | 26 | 3,740 | 28 - 10 |
Voices Against the New Format:
Roddick didn’t hold back: "The two-week 1000’s are so stupid…more people got injured because you can’t do the work on off-weeks." He also mentioned how playing every other day prevents intense training and called feedback from players "s**t." Fans might wonder if anyone is truly listening to what players need.
Adding his voice to the mix, Tsitsipas jumped onto X (formerly Twitter) after seeing Roddick’s comments. He agreed that these extended tournaments make it hard for athletes to catch their breath between events due to tighter schedules.
Tsitsipas remarked, "The two-week Masters 1000s have turned into a drag," noting how constant matches lower quality since there’s no time for proper recovery or off-court work. He found it ironic that ATP committed without ensuring any improvement in scheduling or quality.
He also pointed out how one-week events like Paris Masters were more thrilling for fans: "Paris got it right…If the goal was to ease the calendar, extending every 1000 to two weeks is a backwards move."
What do you think about this? Do you agree with Tsitsipas and Roddick?
