Jannik Sinner told he is ‘not thinking clearly’ as top 20 player hits back over ATP schedule comments
Ugo Humbert has become the latest player to criticise the bloated tennis calendar as he hit back at Jannik Sinner for saying players “can choose not to play”.
The list of players who are unhappy with the schedule on both the ATP and WTA Tours continues to grow as the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev have all voiced their unhappiness with the number of tournaments they are being forced to play.
Reigning men’s world No 1 Sinner was more philosophical when he was asked for his opinion on the subject in September, stating: “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. [But] you don’t have to play in a tournament. If you want, you can play. If not, you don’t play.”
World No 16 Humbert does not share Sinner’s views as he insists those lower down the list have to play if they want to improve their ranking.
In an interview with Tennis Majors, the Frenchman said: “I hear some people, like Jannik Sinner, saying you can choose not to play. But they’re not thinking clearly … When you’re 50th or 60th in the world, you try to play as many events as you can to climb up the rankings.
“We need to rethink things, try and condense things a bit more, because as things stand at the moment, it’s exhausting. After a while, it’s just not possible.”
Tennis News
Andy Roddick hints players could boycott one big tournament as Alcaraz and Sinner join big debate
Zverev believes greed is to play for the bloated calendar and Humbert agrees that it is “all about money” for those at the top while the players suffer.
From next year, nine of the 11 ATP Masters 1000 events will be played over two weeks, adding further pressure on the players.
“There are too many things and they (the ATP) do everything to… They never go in the players’ direction. I’m sorry, but I think the biggest bulls*** right now is the two-week Masters 1000 tournaments It’s tiring,” the Frenchman said.
“And they tell us that we earn more money but it’s not true, we have twice as many expenses (because of staying twice as long on site, editor’s note).
“There are a lot more guys who get injured too. Even to follow on TV, I think it’s not even worth it, you don’t understand who’s playing when etc. It’s all about the money (for the ATP, editor’s note), but it’s not just that… but there’s more to it than that…
“I had a period, the North American season, when I wasn’t well, I felt tired, exhausted, from travelling, from being away from home all the time.
“It’s too hard, it’s too hard. And now they’re going in that direction again. Next year, the Masters 1000 in Canada and Cincinnati will also be held over two weeks.
“I think it’s a load of nonsense, the season is far too long. There’s no other sport where you only have one month’s break. I’m going to finish my season just after Metz and then leave a month later for the United Cup, which starts on December 27. I can’t even spend Christmas at home.”
