The ATP Tour’s relentless calendar has sparked a growing rebellion among its top stars, with world No. 3 Alexander Zverev adding his voice to a chorus of criticism led by players like Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz. In a candid interview on the *Nothing Major* podcast, hosted by former ATP pros John Isner, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock, Zverev didn’t hold back, declaring, “I’m not a fan of where this is going.” His remarks target the ATP’s packed schedule, particularly the expansion of Masters 1000 events to a two-week format and the addition of a fourth mandatory ATP 500 event, which he argues leaves players with little room to rest or prepare. As the tennis world converges on the Canadian Open in Toronto, where Zverev has reached the round of 16, the debate over player welfare versus commercial demands is reaching a boiling point.
Zverev, a seven-time Masters 1000 champion, pointed to the grueling schedule as a barrier to peaking for Grand Slams, his ultimate goal. “I would love to play 18 to 20 tournaments a year and be at my best for the Grand Slams, but with how the ATP has done the tournaments nowadays, it’s impossible,” he said. The current calendar, stretching from late December to mid-November, includes eight mandatory Masters 1000 events (excluding Monte Carlo), all four Grand Slams, and now four ATP 500 tournaments, up from three. Seven of the nine Masters events—Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Rome, Shanghai, Canada, and soon Cincinnati—span 10 to 12 days, a shift from the traditional one-week format. “I’ve not heard a single player say that they love the two-week Masters events,” Zverev added, noting that even fans dislike waiting days to see their favorite players compete. “I understand tennis is a business, but I’m not sure that business plan is working very well right now.”
To illustrate the toll, Zverev cited Alex de Minaur’s 2024 schedule, where the Australian played his final match on November 25 at the Davis Cup and his first of 2025 on December 27 at the United Cup. “So you have a month of off-season. How are you going to take two weeks off? How are you going to prepare your body for a new season? How are you going to train enough tennis?” Zverev asked, highlighting the near-impossible balance between rest, training, and competition. De Minaur himself admitted burnout after a shocking French Open exit earlier this year, a sentiment echoed by others. Carlos Alcaraz, at the 2024 Laver Cup, warned that the schedule could “kill us,” citing demotivation and injury risks. “Sometimes you don’t want to go to tournaments, I’m not gonna lie,” the Spaniard said, a rare admission from a four-time Grand Slam champion.
The extended Masters format, first introduced in Miami (1997) and Indian Wells (2004), expanded to Madrid, Rome, and Shanghai in 2023, with Canada and Cincinnati following in 2025. While the ATP argues that larger 96-player draws offer more opportunities and better prize money, top players like Zverev, Fritz, and Iga Swiatek on the WTA Tour argue it exacerbates physical and mental strain. Fritz, who reached the 2024 Wimbledon semifinals, criticized the mandatory four ATP 500 events, noting that an early-season injury forced him to play the DC Open to meet the quota. “I don’t think that’s the best rule,” he said, frustrated by the lack of flexibility. The absence of Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic from Toronto underscores the issue, with players prioritizing rest before the US Open.
Zverev’s own 2025 season reflects the schedule’s demands. After a runner-up finish at the Australian Open and a first-round Wimbledon upset by Arthur Rinderknech, he’s notched 35 wins and two titles (Munich, Paris-Bercy), reaching 500 career victories in Toronto against Matteo Arnaldi. Yet, he admitted to burnout post-Australian Open, saying, “I experienced total burnout, no enjoyment during matches or training.” His call for change echoes a broader sentiment among players, with some, like Casper Ruud, suggesting the ATP prioritizes revenue over welfare. “It’s all about money here; that’s all the ATP cares about,” Zverev said in 2024, dismissing boycott talks due to players’ limited power.
As Zverev prepares to face Francisco Cerúndolo in Toronto, his focus remains on the US Open, where he reached the 2020 final. With Paris-Bercy and Monte Carlo as the last one-week Masters, he cherishes their efficiency: “You get there, play your five matches, and get out.” The ATP’s 2026 calendar, already announced, retains the two-week format, leaving players like Zverev hoping for reform to balance health, performance, and the sport’s growing demands.
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