Zero from Zverev who slams extended Masters events

Alexander Zverev has nothing good to say about the extended and bloated 12-day Masters 1000 events which the world No. 3 feels are wrecking an already packed ATP calendar.

The top seed at the current Toronto Masters, let his opinions rip as the US Open run-up suffers with a crush of events, with near-constant Tour play for nearly a month until the New York start in just over three weeks.

“To be honest, I’ve not heard a single player say that they love the two week masters events. I don’t even think fans like that,” Zverev said.

“They don’t like waiting for two days for their favorite player to play again. I understand tennis is a business, but I’m not sure that business plan is working very well right now.”

The Toronto event has been paying the price of missing household tennis names voting with their feet against the seriously crowded calendar.

Toronto was hit by withdrawals from world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 2 Ccarlos Alcaraz, who each pulled out of an event which began a fortnight after their dramatic Wimbledon final.

The cited injury niggle and fatigue issues.

Zverev can only agree with that reasoning with a season which begins in January and can end for some into NOvember.

“You have the nine Masters 1000 events, which are mandatory. Most of them are two week long events except Monte Carlo and Paris Bercy. I think they are the best two weeks nowadays because you’re in and out (in seven days).

“You get there, play five matches:  you don’t have to stick around. You don’t have to practice in between matches.

“That’s how Masters events used to be. I think all the players loved it.”

He added: “I’m not a fan of where this is going.  So you have a month of off season. How are you gonna take two weeks off? How are you gonna prepare your body for a new season? How are you gonna train enough tennis?

“You don’t have enough time to do all those things anymore. I think this is one subject where the ATP has to really think about it and kind of find a solution for it as well.”