Australian Nick Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist, has sharply criticized the tennis tour schedule, describing the calendar as excessively long.
“The season is too long,” Kyrgios stated. “After the US Open, there should be no tournaments until the Australian summer. Who watches an ATP 250 tournament in Antwerp? The stands are empty, the highlights are shameful.”
He elaborated that it`s difficult for fans to remain constantly engaged because they are aware that tennis is available every week. He believes the sheer volume of tournaments prevents people from attending, as they feel they can watch anytime, year-round. “It`s ridiculous,” he added.
Kyrgios suggested that the schedule should ideally only include Grand Slams, Masters, and ATP 500 tournaments, followed by exhibition events. He argued these are the events that draw full crowds and feature the world`s best players. “That`s it,” he said. “The other tournaments don`t help the sport at all.”
Furthermore, Kyrgios directed criticism towards tennis organizations regarding the absence of a players` association and the frequent changes to the balls used at tournaments.
“We work hard. You spend your whole life trying to earn an athlete`s salary, and you`re not even paid properly,” he commented. He highlighted the lack of a player association as unique in the world of sports, leaving players without a collective voice. Comparing the ball changes to another sport, he said, “Imagine playing in the NBA. One day you have a game in Los Angeles, then you go to Boston and are forced to use a different ball there. How does that feel? It`s so unprofessional.”
