Stefanos Tsitsipas has caused controversy on social media in the past, and the Greek No. 1 deleted a recent post about the current tennis calendar.
The length of the tennis season has received much attention in recent months, with various top players speaking about the calendar’s physical toll and how the governing bodies view them.
Carlos Alcaraz admitted there have been times when he has not wanted to travel to tournaments due to feeling burnt out and fatigued. He tries to compensate by being happy on the court but does not always find that easy.
Alexander Zverev is also frustrated by how long the season lasts, saying the ATP does not care about player opinions. However, the two-time Grand Slam runner-up is opposed to boycotting events, feeling it is unworkable.
The world No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s words about the subject were more diplomatic. He acknowledged the season is long but pointed out that players can still choose the tournaments they want to play.
Discussions about the schedule have not been limited to the ATP Tour. WTA world No. 1 Iga Swiatek regularly voices her frustration about the grueling calendar, arguing that it should be changed.
Some feel Tsitsipas is often guilty of impulsively posting on social media. He was accused of misogyny a few months ago for sharing a video about the roles of men and women in relationships.
This time, last year’s Australian Open runner-up posted and subsequently deleted a social media post about the schedule. Tsitsipas wrote that the season takes a heavy mental and physical toll on the players, and there weren’t many who would disagree with him.
“It’s a topic that’s been discussed before, yet the need for change is more urgent now than ever. Endless flights across continents, the constant pressure to perform; it’s pushing even the best players to their limits. The ATP and WTA calendars don’t give us a break. We’re constantly moving from one tournament to the next, trying to stay fit and focused.”
“And then there’s the pressure… just look at how Naomi Osaka opened up about her struggles with anxiety in the spotlight. Despite the outcry, not much has changed. What if we moved from quantity to quality? Imagine fewer tournaments, but each one carrying more importance. A rotating system for the smaller tournaments could be a solution.”
The former ATP Finals winner specifically mentioned Novak Djokovic as someone stepping in as a leader to push for a more player-friendly and less grueling schedule.
“With leaders like Novak Djokovic stepping in, the push for a more player-friendly schedule is gaining traction. We players know better than anyone what’s needed, and now we’re in a unique position to negotiate these changes.”
Tsitsipas also wrote that tennis is close to a player-led revolution that he feels could take the game into a new era of greatness for players and fans.
“We’re on the edge of a tennis revolution, one driven by the players. It’s no longer about just surviving the tour; it’s about thriving in it. Change isn’t easy, but if we do this right, tennis could enter a new era of greatness. It’s about taking the game we love and making it better, for players, fans, and the future of the sport.”
