As the tennis world converges on Toronto for the 2025 Canadian Open, world No. 3 Alexander Zverev has ignited a fiery debate about the ATP’s increasingly grueling schedule, particularly its shift to two-week Masters 1000 events. The 28-year-old German, fresh off a milestone 500th career win against Matteo Arnaldi in Toronto, didn’t hold back in his critique of the extended format, which now applies to seven of the nine Masters 1000 tournaments. “I’ve not heard a single player say they love the two-week Masters events,” Zverev declared during an interview on the *Nothing Major* podcast, echoing a growing sentiment among players. His outspoken remarks, delivered as he prepares to face Alexei Popyrin in the Canadian Open quarterfinals, underscore the physical and mental toll of a calendar that leaves little room for rest, especially with the US Open looming from August 25 to September 7.
Zverev’s frustration stems from the ATP’s expansion of the Masters 1000 format, which began with Indian Wells and Miami decades ago but has recently spread to Madrid, Rome, Shanghai, and now the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open. Unlike the traditional one-week events like Monte Carlo and Paris-Bercy, which Zverev called “the best two weeks on the ATP calendar,” the extended 12-day format with 96-player draws aims to increase prize money and opportunities for lower-ranked players. However, top stars like Zverev argue it comes at a steep cost. “You get there, you play your five matches, and you get out of there,” he said of the shorter events, reminiscing about Paris-Bercy 2024, where he clinched the title. “You don’t have to stick around or practice in between matches.” The new format, he contends, forces players to linger for days, disrupting recovery and preparation. “They don’t like waiting for two days for their favorite player to play again,” he added, suggesting fans are equally frustrated by the prolonged gaps between matches.
The 2025 season has intensified these concerns, with the ATP mandating participation in eight Masters 1000 events (excluding Monte Carlo), all four Grand Slams, and four ATP 500 tournaments, up from three previously. This packed schedule, spanning nearly 11 months, has led to high-profile withdrawals from Toronto, including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic, highlighting the strain on top players. Zverev, who has won seven Masters 1000 titles, including Rome and Paris in 2024, emphasized the challenge of balancing mandatory events with physical health. “You don’t get under 20 events unless you’re pulling out of the big events,” he said, noting the impossibility of a lighter schedule to focus on Grand Slams, a goal he’s chased since reaching finals at the 2020 US Open, 2024 French Open, and 2025 Australian Open.
Zverev’s sentiments are not isolated. Players like Taylor Fritz, Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud, and Alcaraz have also criticized the calendar’s intensity, with Fritz calling the mandatory ATP 500 rule “not the best policy” and Alcaraz favoring the one-week format for its rest benefits. “The one-week ones are better,” Alcaraz said after reaching the Barcelona Open quarterfinals. “Some will think that in two weeks there are days of rest, but that is not the case.” The extended format, while offering rest days, requires players to stay mentally engaged and train between matches, leading to burnout. Zverev’s own experience underscores this; after a “terrible” start to 2025, including a demoralizing Australian Open final loss to Sinner, he admitted to feeling “completely lost” and suffering burnout in Argentina, where he competed unmotivated.
Despite his critique, Zverev’s 2025 season has been a testament to his resilience. His Toronto run, where he overcame a tough Francisco Cerúndolo—marking his first win in four meetings against the Argentine—shows his ability to adapt. “I’m still trying to figure out how to win a match against him,” Zverev said of Cerúndolo, whose abdominal injury forced a retirement. Zverev’s class shone through as he urged his opponent to prioritize health: “Sometimes you’ve got to take care of yourself.” With a 38-14 record this year, two Masters 1000 titles, and an Olympic gold medal from Tokyo 2020, Zverev remains a formidable force, driven by advice from Rafael Nadal to be “more brave” in big moments, a lesson he’s applying as he eyes a first Grand Slam title.
As the tennis community debates the ATP’s direction, Zverev’s call for change resonates. “I understand tennis is a business, but I’m not sure that business plan is working very well right now,” he concluded, urging the ATP to rethink its approach. With the US Open approaching, where he hopes to deliver his “best tennis,” Zverev’s outspokenness highlights a critical moment for the sport, as players and fans alike seek a schedule that balances competition with sustainability.
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