Andy Roddick suggests ‘simple fix’ to tackle hectic ATP calendar amid players’ complaints

Andy Roddick wants the ATP to prioritize making some changes to the busy tennis schedule that benefit the players.

Andy Roddick suggests ‘simple fix’ to tackle hectic ATP calendar amid players’ complaints

Andy Roddick (Image via ATP/X)

Andy Roddick has a suggestion to the ATP that perhaps could solve the hectic calendar problem. The ATP as well as the WTA seasons are underway and players have already started to complain about not getting enough time to rest and recover between tournaments.

Men’s World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz has been voicing his concern about players falling prey to injuries and even exclaimed that the cramped schedule calendar would “kill” the players. Daniil Medvedev called for a major overhaul, while Alexander Zverev lashed out at the ATP for putting “the health of the players at risk“, accusing them of caring only about money.

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Amidst all this, tennis journalist Jon Wertheim, during the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, revealed that there would be an announcement of a 10th Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia, which is likely to be held in February. Roddick in response said ATP doesn’t care about the schedule but he suggested a “simple fix” to the problem.

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[ATP] 250s are irrelevant to the eight players that are qualifying for World Tour Finals, they don’t affect qualification, and for the one in ten years that someone might sneak in by 20 points on a 250, should that dictate anything as far as schedule? Move World Tour Finals up one month, all the 250s in the fall, put them on the backend of the World Tour Finals, right, put them in November.

Andy Roddick said

WTA players too are protesting against the schedule. World No.2 Iga Swiatek once again censured the schedule when she fell to eventual champion Mirra Andreeva in the Dubai Championships quarterfinals. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka also hinted that her mediocre performance in the Middle East Swing was a result of Australian tournaments taking a lot of energy out of her.

Jon Wertheim believes Masters 1000 event in February could trouble Golden Swing

Jon Wertheim said fans in South America love the tennis events and even during doubles matches, the stands are not half-empty. He expressed his concerns about what would happen to these tournaments if the ATP include the Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia.

Jon Wertheim
Jon Wertheim (Image via ATP/X)

It will be devastating to the other February events, not least the ones in South America.

Jon Wertheim said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast

Wertheim claimed the events in South America have distinguished themselves, and the fans always create an engaging atmosphere. Andy Roddick, however, thinks that if a Masters 1000 event is added in February, one tournament at least will be canceled at the backend of the schedule.

The final tournament of the Golden Swing, the Chile Open is currently underway, following the Argentina Open and the Rio Open. 2024 Next-Gen ATP Finals winner Joao Fonseca lifted his first ATP title at the Argentina Open, while Sebastian Baez won the Rio Open.