Jamie Murray sees the ATP tour “set up for failure” as stringy scheduling overwhelms players risking heavy injuries and disappointments

The former World No. 1 criticized the neglecting attitude of the Tour officials who are more focused on milking the revenue out of the players by packed scheduling.

Jamie Murray sees the ATP tour “set up for failure” as stringy scheduling overwhelms players risking heavy injuries and disappointments

Jamie Murray (image via IMAGO)

Doubles legend and former World No. 1 Jamie Murray recently spoke on the ATP Tour’s worsening attitude towards the players. For a while now, the players and coaches have constantly complained about the packed scheduling of events during the tennis calendar.

As a result, the rise in injuries is evident. At times, players aren’t fully prepared before the match due to the travel and jet lag which results in shocking defeats as well for them. Things get complicated when players are made to travel to different continents altogether over a short period.

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Mid-match injuries are on the rise as a result. With little or no rest before the match and tired bodies from the previous week, it becomes difficult for the players to put out their best. Murray pointed out this factor and found only the Tour officials to be blamed for this.

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With big names earning the Tour big bucks as fans tune in to catch the live action, the number of events is increasing. The tournaments are seeing promotion of categories from the 250s to 500s. This tempts the lower-ranked players to go for the extra points and prize money. This eventually comes back to haunt them in the form of injuries. 

Scheduling bothers me so much at some of the events. It’s giving it no chance to thrive. Right now, it feels to me that it’s kind of set up for failure. No one, from a Tour perspective, seems to be thinking of making it a more valuable proposition for us, for the Tour, for the fans, for streaming, for television. That’s what bugs me a lot.
Said Murray speaking with Tennis Majors.

Jamie Murray finds the lack of action from players disheartening

While the ATP is finding all means to milk the revenue out of players, the Scot was also disappointed in his colleagues. Murray highlighted how the silence of the players is giving the organizers and Tour officials the liberty to continue with their wrong scheduling practice.

Jamie Murray
Jamie Murray (Image via The Deccan Herald)

He felt if this continued, in a decade there would be ‘no product’ left. Aged 38 currently, the five-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champ knows he is in his final few years on the Tour. But the younger players also not speaking up for themselves didn’t sit well with the former World No. 1. 

I’ve approached players about it in the past but the guys, who are maybe just thinking about their career, don’t see that maybe there will be no product in ten years. Me, I might play one, two, or three more years, I don’t know. Guys have to actively come together and say that these are the changes they would like to see made to the Tour.
Added Murray.

The scheduling mishaps were visible at the 2024 Australian Open despite the tournament adding one extra day to their schedule. Late-night finishes followed by early starts in the next match often had players suffering on the court as the Melbourne heat did them no good.

However, the ray of hope can be seen at the upcoming Indian Wells Masters where a new format is being adopted by the tournament organizers. Its success or failure will be determined only once the event is played out next month.

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