Expanded Masters and Majors Healthier for Players

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, October 6, 2024

Masters and majors are rising—and that may profit long-term well being of gamers, asserts ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

Meeting the media on the Rolex Shanghai Masters at present, Gaudenzi was requested if there is a concern increasing the size of Masters 1000 and Grand Slam tournaments may pressure gamers. 

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Earlier this week, officers introduced the 2024 Australian Open will characteristic a historic Sunday begin and be part of Roland Garros because the second Grand Slam to increase to fifteen days relatively than the standard 14 days. We’ve additionally seen Masters 1000 occasions increase with the Miami Open going to a Sunday begin.

Former French Open finalist and long-time standout coach Magnus Norman is anxious increasing tournaments may very well be a well being hazard to gamers. Norman factors out longer tournaments imply extra follow and preparation time in addition to extra days on the street which makes him “worried for players physical and perhaps even more mental health.”

Masters 1000 from 7 to 10 days. Grand Slam from 14 to fifteen days. Tennis simply provides increasingly more. 25 years in the past matter amongst gamers had been IW and Miami to lengthy of a swing. Worried for gamers bodily and even perhaps extra psychological well being

— Magnus Norman (@normansweden) October 3, 2023

A former ATP participant, Gaudenzi argues the longer format will truly profit gamers by giving them a break day between rounds and should not impose a serious impression because the event size primarily impacts gamers who go deep within the draw whereas gamers who make early-round exits will mainly spend the identical period of time at a event.

“This year we have upgraded Madrid, Rome, and Shanghai, but Indian Wells and Miami, they have been already two weeks, 10 to 12 days draws for around 30 years, even when I was around playing,” Gaudenzi instructed the media in Shanghai. “I strongly believe that players will get adjusted to it. Ultimately, yes, it is longer, but it is longer for the players who actually get to the end of the tournaments because if you lose first, second, or third round, ultimately, it would be a similar amount of days.”

The day of relaxation and restoration between rounds is a vital, which makes Gaudenzi “very confident” longer tournaments might be useful for gamers’ psychological and bodily well being.

“But what I really believe is important is now players can have a day off in between matches, and that in the long-term, I think decreases the chances of injuries,” Gaudenzi stated. “So they obviously have to adjust their schedule and probably take a few more breaks in between tournaments to spend a few more weeks home because there is potentially more days on the road.

“But from a psychological well being and bodily well being standpoint, I feel having 96 draw performed over 12 days is so much higher than having to play six matches in seven days back-to-back as a result of that is actually the place the accidents come up. So time will inform, however I feel we’re very assured it is going to work out.”

Photo credit score: ATP