Alcaraz joins Swiatek in slamming Tour scheduling

Carlos Alcaraz has added his voice to complaints from former No. 1 Iga Swiatek that the ATP and WTA calendars have become too crowded, with players playing the price through injury.

The top-ranked Spaniard withdrew from the current Shanghai Masters for rest after winning the Tokyo title while carrying an ankle injury from the first round.

With a controversial master in action which increases the length of most major events – Grand Slams already stretch to at least a fortnight anyway – to nearly two weeks, top names are pushing back due to simple exhaustion.

Six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, the world No. 2, has said she may have to consider breaking strict WTA rules on mandatory participation in at least 10 1000-level events in order to maintain her health and fitness in the face of a schedule which stretches to 11 months for some competitors.

Alcaraz left no doubt as to his sentiments on the touchy issue. 

.‘I agree with Iga, I think that the schedule is really tight. They have to do something with the schedule. I think there are too many mandatory tournaments, too many in a row,” the 22-year-old said.

“They put in some rules that we have to play Master 1000s, 500 tournaments, whatever it is. But there are too many rules that we as tennis players are not allowed to have a choice if we have to play or not.”

Alcaraz added: “To be honest, I have to consider in the future if I have to skip some mandatory tournaments just to maintain my physical condition and good shape. 

“Obviously it’s more than the physical condition. I think mentally it’s really demanding as well, playing so many mandatory tournaments in a row or playing so many tournaments without having days to rest up mentally.”

The Spaniard said he would join Swiatek in making his schedule to his own needs even if it meant missing some required events.

“I will consider skipping some mandatory tournaments to the benefit of myself mentally. I agree with Iga and I think a lot of players are gonna do that.”

Swiatek, who lost in the Beijing fourth round with a shocking performance against Emma Navarro which included 70 unforced errors, seems likely to pull out from the required Wuhan 1000 event which begins on Monday.

 “Unfortunately, I think the Asian Swing is the hardest part because you feel like the season is going to finish soon, but you still need to push,” the Pole said.

“Maybe I will have to choose some tournaments and skip them, even though they are mandatory.. the WTA with all these mandatory rules, they made this pretty crazy for us.
“I don’t think any top player will actually be able to achieve this, for example, playing the six 500 tournaments. It’s just impossible to squeeze it in the schedule.

“I think we have to be smart about it, not really care about the rules and just think what’s healthy for us. Yeah, it’s tough.

“The only thing I can do now, when I decided I’m going to play all these mandatory tournaments, is to just take care of my body, take care of the recovery. I have a good team around me also that is helping me with that. I’m experienced enough to know kind of what to do. So physically, I am good.

“There are a lot of injuries. I think it is because the season is too long and too intense.”