Carlos Alcaraz claims the hectic tennis schedule is “killing us” while Iga Swiatek has said, “It won’t end well.” When big players speak out, The ATP and WTA have to listen.
We look at seven times tennis authorities were challenged by the sport’s leading stars.
1) Rafa, Roger and Novak Have Their Say on ATP Finals
Roger Federer ended his professional career playing and crying alongside Rafa Nadal. The Spaniard and Swiss had huge respect for each other but didn’t always see eye to eye on tour issues.
In 2013, Federer, a six-time winner, insisted that the ATP Finals should be kept indoors on hard courts whereas Nadal suggested that it would be fairer for future generations to play on a different surface – no prizes for guessing which.
Ultimately, Novak Djokovic was the most vocal about moving the finals from London and got his wish when Turin got the gig in 2021.
2) Sabalenka and Co Complain About Cancun
When the top eight arrived in Cancun during hurricane season for the 2023 WTA Finals, grievances were already running high. Twenty-one top women players had signed a letter asking for more pay, the need for a flexible schedule and better representation.
After Aryna Sabalenka and company saw that the hard court in Mexico had yet to be completed amid a messy building site, a tennis tornado of dissatisfaction ensued.
Sabalenka said she felt “disrespected” by the WTA, criticising the safety of the court and the level of organisation.
Iga Swiatek eventually won the title but was more concerned with the lack of spectators. The whole event was a mess.
3) Djokovic sets up PTPA
Djokovic resigned as President of the ATP Council to set up the Professional Tennis Players Association in 2020.
Djokovic said the PTPA was aimed at fairer representation and distribution of revenue and welfare. Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer respectfully disagreed with the breakaway, suggesting that the sport should stick together in such difficult COVID-dominated times.
He has acknowledged that women and men who are ranked below the top 200 are struggling a lot. Karue Sell, World no. 299, has just claimed he could earn more working at McDonald’s…
4) Iga Swiatek’s Schedule Concerns
Anyone who thinks Swiatek has only just flagged up worries over the schedule have not been paying attention.
In an interview with Eurosport, the Pole claimed that the WTA was actually going against their own promotion of mental health and a work-life balance by extending tournaments and adding more WTA 1000 events.
“It’s not going to end well,” said the five-time Slam winner. Judging by the no-shows at the China Open, 2024 is dropping off a cliff.
5) Roger and Rafa Clash Over Player Welfare
Back in the days when the Raging Spanish Bull and the Swiss Magician were fighting over major titles, there was a tetchy disagreement over player welfare in 2012.
Nadal was frustrated that Federer did not add his name to a growing concern that the ATP was asking too much.
Nadal has always been prone to injury given the physical nature of his play and showed some measure of irritation at Federer’s seamless “gentleman” style.
The Spaniard went as far as to say that his rival was “physically privileged” and therefore it was okay for others to get “burned.” It was frosty for a while there.
6) Players Can’t Abide Late Night Finishes as ATP/WTA Change Rules
The WTA and ATP finally introduced changes at the beginning of 2024 to prevent tournament matches from running after 11 p.m.
Alexander Zverev was particularly vocal after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2022 Madrid Open final. The German cited that he had no coordination on court because of the sheer exhaustion of late finishes, calling the ATP “a disgrace.”
Jannik Sinner pulled out of the 2023 Paris Masters after finishing a match just before 3 a.m with less than 12 hours to prepare for the next one. Casper Ruud sarcastically taunted the ATP via X for losing the services of one of “the world’s best players.”
Elena Rybakina said the WTA leadership was “a little bit weak” at the 2023 National Bank Open in Montreal after her three-and-a-half- hour quarter-final match against Daria Kasatkina ended at a similar time.
The Grand Slams continue to have their own rules with only Wimbledon abiding by a curfew of 11 p.m – don’t ask Andy Murray about the Australian Open…
7) ATP Blasted Over Missing Peng Shuai
When Chinese player Peng Shuai disappeared from public view in 2021 after accusing a state official of sexual assault, the WTA acted swiftly in banning all of its tournaments in China.
Chief Executive Steve Simon cited safety and welfare concerns for Shuai and all WTA players.
The ATP refused to follow suit, issuing the following fluffy statement instead: “We will continue to consult with our members and monitor any developments as this issue evolves.”
Martina Navratilova called the ATP’s response “embarrassing.” Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick said the statement was an example of how to use words to say nothing.
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