“We can still choose what to play and what not to play” : Jannik Sinner throws out subtle disagreement over Carlos Alcaraz’s statement about exhausting ATP schedule
The four major Grand Slam competitions are already over for the season, yet the current ATP schedule still has a few tournaments left till the course of December. Many professional tennis players and analysts have commented about this excessive and unnecessary schedule, while some fans have claimed that increased profit and revenue are being prioritized over the physical well-being of players.
The most recent player to point out about the heavy and tiresome tournament schedule is none other than world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz. The Spainard has had an excellent season himself, winning majors in Wimbledon and the French Open, while also claiming the silver medal in men’s singles in the Paris Olympics.
Alcaraz, who recently led Team Europe to the Laver Cup trophy, suggested that ATP is ‘killing’ fellow tennis players by their hectic schedule. The Spainard is not wrong, as especially this summer due to the Olympics, players have barely been able to get two to three weeks’ time to rest and recuperate.
“I’m the kind of player who think there is a lot of tournaments during the year, mandatory tournaments, and probably during the next few years gonna be even more tournaments, more mandatory tournaments. So, I mean, probably they are going to kill us in some way,” said the 21-year-old.
Although, Carlos Alcaraz’s Italian counterpart believes otherwise.
Jannik Sinner implies that players should skip tournaments as they are given the option to do so
During a pre-event press conference for the China Open, world no.1 Jannik Sinner was asked about the Spaniard’s comments regarding the heavy scheduling throughout the year. Sinner did acknowledge on Alcaraz’s comments about it, but also added his own take that players can choose what tournament they want to participate in.
“Yeah, the schedule is quite long obviously these years. But we players, we can still choose what to play and what not to play. Obviously, we have some mandatory events, yes. As a player, you can still choose. I think of that,” said the Italian.
“It is a very busy schedule this year; there are a lot of tournaments. You don’t have to play a tournament. If you want, you can play. If not, you don’t play. For example, last year and also this year, I didn’t play some tournaments because I wanted to practice. There are some choices behind this. In general, yeah, the season is quite long, so sometimes it’s not easy,” the world no.1 added.
The Italian himself has had one of the best breakthrough seasons ever, winning both hardcourt Grand Slam titles, all while getting pressed over controversial doping allegations in the summer. Sinner also skipped a few minor tournaments, which may well have been key for him to feel fresh and clear-minded ahead of the majors. Meanwhile, Alcaraz participated in almost all tournaments, and his slip in form due to fatigue in recent tournaments have been constantly highlighted.
Both the world no.1 and 3 will be participating in the ATP 500 held in Beijing, China. The Italian, who is far ahead of any player in the rankings, will start his campaign against Nicolas Jarry. The Spaniard is put in the bottom half of the draw, against Giovanni Mpetshi. The China Open will begin this Thursday, concluding on October 2nd.
