Daniil Medvedev calls for radical changes to tennis calendar as he echoes Rafael Nadal’s past suggestion
Back in 2011, Rafael Nadal called for an “evolution” of the tennis schedule, but those calls have fallen on deaf ears as the calendar remains overcrowded.
More than a decade later Daniil Medvedev believes he “has found a good answer” to the problem as demands for changes to the tennis calendar grows louder and louder.
The likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Iga Swiatek have all criticised the heavily packed schedule in recent months with Alcaraz jokingly stating that it is “going to kill us” while Zverev stated it was “all about the money” for the tour bosses.
There appears to be no imminent plans to make changes, but Medvedev feels he has a solution.
The former world No 1 has already cut some of the smaller tournaments from his own calendar.
“About the schedule? I got this question not long ago. I think I found a good answer from my side,” he said.
“This year I only tried to play big tournaments,” he said. “I think I only played three 500s. One preparation for Wimbledon. One Dubai, which was some time after Australian Open. Ones was Beijing, in the Shanghai swing, so it’s a good tournament to play.”
He then revealed his “good answer” as he feels the season should end in October for most players, which was something that the great Nadal mooted back in 2011.
The Spaniard also warned that players could strike if changes are not made, saying: “I rule out nothing. I wouldn’t like to go as far as a strike because playing is what I like to do. But something has to happen.”
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There has been no changes thus far and also no strike.
Medvedev added: “I think somehow there should be more bigger, important tournaments, which should be like, ‘Okay, these are the tournaments where we define who is going to be top 10, like Masters 1000. You play good in them, you will be there.’
“The schedule should somehow be around them. Like there should not be a 250 after Paris Bercy where Casper, Andrey and Alex have to go there, then they withdraw or something.
“I remember Rafa once said it. The season should finish earlier, then you put all the 250s after for people that want to continue playing. If you’re good enough, you finish the season in whatever, October, play in Masters. Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t count the tournaments after.
“If you still feel like you need more points for Australian Open or more matches, you do it after. I think that’s something to consider because Carlos [Alcaraz] said it. First match I had a meltdown because every match I go, I usually go with a willingness to fight till the end to win. When it doesn’t work your way, I get frustrated sometimes.
“This match basically went I don’t care. It’s good for me, I won. But I would lose the same score, you would not see one emotion on my face. I would be here talking happy, whatever. I go home Thursday. I’m okay.
“That’s not good when you play the Masters in Turin for huge money, huge points. I don’t care. 200 points, whatever. Good for me. Should be different.”
