Its going to kill Us – Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev Sound Alarms Over Grueling Tennis Calendar

Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old tennis prodigy and reigning champion of the French Open and Wimbledon, has voiced frustration over the punishing demands of the professional tennis calendar, stating that the intensity of the schedule is taking a serious toll on players. Competing in his 14th tournament of the year at the Laver Cup, Alcaraz shared his concerns about the long season and the physical toll it places on athletes.

Having already played 50 singles matches in 2024, including a silver medal run at the Paris Olympics, Alcaraz did not hold back after his straight-sets victory over American Ben Shelton. “They are probably going to kill us in some way,” he remarked, referencing the relentless, tightly-packed tennis schedule that has long been a subject of debate among players and officials.

Alcaraz emphasized that the intense schedule is causing a surge in player injuries. “The calendar is so tight,” he said. “Right now, there are a lot of injuries.” His comments reflect a growing concern in the sport about the physical demands placed on athletes, particularly as the ATP tour continues to expand in terms of both length and the number of tournaments.

Despite the pressure, Alcaraz said he strives to maintain a positive outlook, noting that he plays his best tennis when he’s enjoying himself. “I play my best tennis when I smile and enjoy it on court,” he added, though he admitted that there are times when the motivation to participate in certain tournaments wanes.

**Lessons from a Misstep: Alcaraz’s US Open Exit**

Alcaraz also acknowledged a personal mistake in managing his schedule this season—failing to take adequate rest between major tournaments. After securing a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, where he lost an emotionally intense gold medal match to Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz went directly into the US Open without allowing himself enough time to recover. This lack of rest played a role in his unexpected second-round loss to Botic van de Zandschulp, ranked 74th in the world. Reflecting on this, Alcaraz admitted he should have taken more time off between events.

The young Spaniard’s comments bring to light the broader issue of the toll that an overcrowded schedule is taking on players, who are often forced to make difficult choices about rest and recovery versus competing in high-stakes events. Despite his immense success in 2024, including an emotional Wimbledon victory over Djokovic, Alcaraz is not immune to the physical and mental strain that comes with a packed calendar.

**Alexander Zverev Adds His Voice to the Criticism**

World number two Alexander Zverev has also raised concerns about the demanding tennis schedule. Echoing Alcaraz’s sentiments, the German star criticized the ATP, accusing the governing body of prioritizing profit over player well-being. “The ATP doesn’t care about our opinion — it’s a money business,” Zverev said bluntly.

Zverev pointed out that the tennis season is the longest in professional sports and argued that it’s unnecessarily so. “It’s the longest season in sports. We have an unnecessary amount of tournaments,” he stated, highlighting how the relentless nature of the calendar leaves little room for rest and recovery.

According to Zverev, the situation is compounded by the fact that players are often fined for skipping tournaments, making it difficult for them to balance their health and the ATP’s scheduling demands. “We need to do something about it. It’s not an easy solution, but a solution needs to be made,” he added.

Both Zverev and Alcaraz are scheduled to compete until late November at the Davis Cup Finals in Spain. The 2025 season, however, will begin almost immediately afterward, with the United Cup in Australia kicking off on December 27. This tight turnaround gives top players barely any time to rest between seasons.

**A Growing Debate: Balancing the Calendar with Player Welfare**

The concerns raised by both Alcaraz and Zverev have reignited the ongoing debate about player welfare in professional tennis. As the ATP tour continues to expand and adapt to the demands of sponsors, fans, and broadcasters, the well-being of the players remains a critical issue. While the packed schedule may bring in revenue, it also risks exhausting top talent, potentially leading to more injuries and early burnout.

As the conversation around player welfare grows louder, there is increasing pressure on tennis authorities to strike a better balance between maintaining a robust calendar for fans and ensuring that players have enough time to rest and recover. Whether the ATP will heed the concerns of top players like Alcaraz and Zverev remains to be seen, but it is clear that the current structure of the tennis season is unsustainable for many athletes at the top level of the sport.