Felix Auger-Aliassime Takes Curious Dig on his Tennis Colleagues for ‘Losing Perspective’ on the Tennis Scheduling System

Felix Auger-Aliassime claimed his place in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals after beating Alexander Zverev.

Felix Auger-Aliassime Takes Curious Dig on his Tennis Colleagues for ‘Losing Perspective’ on the Tennis Scheduling System

Felix Auger Aliassime (via ATP Tour)

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One of the major discussions on tour has been the hectic nature of the tennis schedule. Players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek have expressed their dissatisfaction about the length of the tour calendar. However, Felix Auger-Aliassime had revealed that players need to enjoy tennis and not complain about tiredness.

Since the US Open, the number of players who sustained injuries on tour or were forced to retire from their matches has almost doubled, particularly during the Asian swing, where the humid conditions were a problem for players. Swiatek and Alcaraz have argued that players need more rest and fewer events on tour.

The ATP rules that all elite players must play all the Grand Slam tournaments, which they would do regardless of how their bodies feel. They will also feature in 8 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments (only the Monte Carlo Masters being optional) and at least four ATP 500 tournaments, including one after the US Open.

In addition, the majority of the Masters 1000 tournaments are now played over more than a week. A move players have protested this season. But the ATP and the WTA have turned a deaf ear to it, arguing that players can still choose which event to play in regardless of the rules.

Auger-Aliassime earned his place in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in Turin after beating Alexander Zverev in straight sets. During his press conference, the Canadian star wondered why it had become difficult for players to enjoy playing on the court. He added that tennis players are lucky and blessed to be able to play a lot and earn money with their skills:

I don’t know how guys don’t enjoy it, to be honest. I think they lost perspective completely. I get that you can get tired. I’m tired, too. I do trips around and I go see different circumstances around the world. I mean, we’re just lucky and blessed. In my humble opinion, every day I wake up and I enjoy. I enjoy that I’m here. Even if I lose matches, it’s okay, I’m pissed for a day. I don’t know. If you want to play less tournaments, stay home. Nobody’s forcing you to be here.

Auger-Aliassime lost his first match at the ATP Finals against Jannik Sinner in straight sets. But in his second round robin tie, he came from a set down to beat Ben Shelton in three sets. On Friday (November 14), he produced an excellent performance to beat two-time champion Zverev 6-4, 7-6(4) and clinch his place in his first-ever ATP Finals semi-final.

Alex de Minaur highlights the problems with the current tennis schedule

During the China Open, several WTA and ATP players were forced to withdraw or retire due to injury or exhaustion. That led Iga Swiatek to declare that the tournaments would soon become too many for players to cope with. The likes of Beatriz Haddad Maia and Elina Svitolina were forced to end their seasons early and take a break.

Alex de Minaur and Novak Djokovic
Alex de Minaur (via Punto de Break)

Alex de Minaur, who has been a quiet figure in the tennis schedule discussion was asked about it on Thursday (November 13) during his press conference. The Australian star highlighted the fact that players prefer the one-week Masters format to the new two-week:

The toughest thing as a player is you’re seeded and you make the fourth round. You play the fourth round in Indian Wells, the fourth round in Miami (12-day events each). You could potentially play six matches in a month, which is not enough. I think if you ask any of the players out there, they will all rather have the one-week events because you go out there, you play, once you’re done, you’re done.

De Minaur was lucky to earn his place in the ATP Finals semi-finals as he only had to win one match to qualify. He lost his two opening matches at the tournament, but a straight-sets win against Taylor Fritz was enough to guarantee his place in the knockout phase of the season-ending tournament.

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Rates His 2025 Season After Claiming the ATP Year-End No.1 in Turin