How much tennis is too much tennis? If you are going to ask that question to Carlos Alcaraz, winner of the French Open and Wimbledon this year, he is already complaining about a taxing schedule which will get worse in coming years. This being a leap year, which included the Paris 2024 Olympics programme, the Spanish hero also had to participate at the Summer Games as he promised to pair up with Rafael Nadal. The gap between Wimbledon ending and returning to the Roland Garros for the Olympics was too short. Someone like Novak Djokovic managed to pull off massive wins and seal the gold medal but he, too, failed at the US Open.
With Alcaraz not doing well at the US Open and controversial Jannik Sinner winning the title in New York, the focus is on heavy schedules and excessive tennis. Sinner has skipped Paris 2024 and was fresh for the season’s last Major. Alcaraz offered no excuse at the US Open but what he said at the Laver Cup over the weekend, where he starred for Team Europe was brutally honest. “Probably during the next few years, it’s going to be even more mandatory tournaments. Probably they are gonna kill us in some way,” said Alcaraz on Saturday to the media. For someone who has a 43-9 win loss record in 2024, the season has been long and is not ending soon.
When Alcaraz had begun this season, he was being frowned upon by the former greats as he was wearing protective gears on a couple of his joints. It not only looked ugly, but for a 21-year old, who is already facing creaking joints, it was something which was worrying. And in coming years, Alcaraz fears the pressure from the ATP, which governs men’s sport, will be even higher.
Alcaraz also spoke of a lot of injured players being on the men’s tour, which is a fact. There are some questions as to why he played the Laver Cup, which is basically exhibition tennis and has big bucks. Started by Roger Federer in 2017, the Laver Cup, named after Rocket Rod Laver, does generate interest among sponsors and the public. With two former stars and rivals – Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, the outgoing captains of Europe and America – the Laver Cup does bring in excitement. But at what cost?
Yes, Alcaraz could have missed the Laver Cup but that is not as taxing as the ATP Tour events or the Grand Slams, which are best of five sets. He has hinted players will miss more events in the coming years and they have no option as participation in mandatory events is increasing. There is just no way players can pick and choose seasons like before.
For example, this generation may not know of Austrian Thomas Muster, who was World No.1 by just playing in the clay season almost three decades back. Muster would miss the grass swing. Similarly, many Spaniards would skip the grass-court season and Wimbledon, as they liked clay. Two reasons, the surface at Wimbledon becoming more standardised and participation becoming mandatory ensured Spanish players now have to compete in London as well.
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There is more tennis ahead for Alcaraz, as he has been named in the Spanish Davis Cup team as well for the Davis Cup Final 8 draw, in November third week, in Malaga. This will also be the last time Rafael Nadal will show up. He had requested the Spanish tennis authorities to be included. Anyone fantasising Nadal will play in the 2025 season has to be an eternal optimist. His best attempts at comebacks in 2024 were futile. For the record, even Federer spoke of how tough it has become for Nadal due to his fitness battles.
Back to the rigorous tours, two marquee women players, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina have also been complaining about feeling stale. They have been pulling out of tournaments which is leaving the WTA red-faced. Rybakina made it to the semi-finals at Wimbledon and has been dealing with a back injury after that. She pulled out of two events in Asia recently and has expressed her sadness.
“While I’ve been working hard on my recovery, my medical team and I have decided it’s best to prioritise my health at this time. This has been a challenging year and I am grateful for the support from the tournament organisers and all of my fans. My team and I will work on getting me back on the court before the season finale,” said the WTA statement on behalf of Rybakina on social media.
Swiatek’ sports psychologist has sounded the biggest alarm bell, to put things in perspective. “She may develop burnout syndrome and this could push her into depression,” is what Daria Abromowicz has said.
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