Jannik Sinner disagrees with Carlos Alcaraz over scheduling issues players face

While Carlos Alcaraz flagged it as a major issue, Jannik Sinner highlighted that players always have a choice to play or skip a tournament.

Jannik Sinner disagrees with Carlos Alcaraz over scheduling issues players face

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Images via Imago)

Italian tennis ace Jannik Sinner is in disagreement with his rival-cum-colleague Carlos Alcaraz about the cramped tennis schedule and the issues players face due to that. While Alcaraz strongly condemned the current schedule, claiming it is going to “kill” the players, Sinner highlighted that players always have the option to play or skip a tournament.

Alcaraz made the comments about the scheduling while competing at the 2024 Laver Cup, his 14th tournament of the season. The Spaniard felt that because of the packed schedule, many players miss tournaments owing to injuries. The World No.3 also talked about the lack of motivation he faces while playing at so many tournaments.

YouTube video
Sometimes, you don't want to go to a tournament. I'm not going to lie - I have felt this way a few times already. Sometimes I don't feel motivated at all. But as I've said many, many times, I play my best tennis when I smile and enjoy it on court. That's the best option to keep motivating (myself).
Carlos Alcaraz said about the packed schedule on the tour. (H/T: BBC)

However, World No.1 Sinner does not feel the same way. The Italian instead advised that players should pick and choose tournaments.

FS Video
RELATED
Shocking confessions about Elena Rybakina and coach Stefano Vukov could shake up the WTA
Elena-Rybakina-Stefano-Vukov

Jannik Sinner admits to packed schedule but has a solution for it

Jannik Sinner did not deny the reality that the tennis schedule is packed and the calendar has become longer. However, the Italian feels that players can pick and choose tournaments apart from the mandatory ones.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via X) 
The schedule is quite long these years. But as players, we can still choose what to play and what not to play. Obviously we have some mandatory events, yes. As a player, you can still choose. It is a very busy schedule this year, there are a lot of tournaments. You don’t have to play in a tournament. If you want, you can play. If not, you don’t play.
Jannik Sinner said at a press conference at China Open.

Compared to Carlos Alcaraz‘s 14, Sinner has played 12 tournaments so far. However, the Italian has played more matches (60) as compared to Alcaraz (52). Sinner missed the Paris Olympics and a couple of more tournaments but played to his full potential in the ones he participated in.

RELATED
Andy Roddick shares advice for Carlos Alcaraz to manage his hectic schedule
Carlos Alcaraz(L), Andy Roddick(R)

Currently, the two players are in China for the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing. Post that, Alcaraz and Sinner are expected to compete in the Shanghai Masters, followed by Vienna or Basel Open. Paris Masters is also scheduled to take place before the ATP Finals in November. Both Alcaraz and Sinner will also play for their countries at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.

While the 2024 season ends in the last week of November, the new season will start in the last week of December. This means that the players will have only four weeks of rest between the two seasons.