Australian Nick Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist, has strongly criticized the professional tennis calendar, arguing that it is excessively long and highlighting issues with lower-level tournaments.
Kyrgios stated, “The season is too long. There shouldn`t be any tournaments after the US Open until the Australian summer. Who is watching the ATP 250 event in Antwerp? The stands are empty, the highlights are embarrassing.”
He added that it`s difficult for fans to remain engaged throughout the year because they are aware that tennis is available to watch every week. “There are too many tournaments,” he said. “People simply don`t attend because they think, `I can watch tennis anytime, year-round.` It`s ridiculous.”
Kyrgios believes that two-week “Masters” tournaments are beneficial because they feature the world`s top players and draw full crowds. He proposed, “Grand Slams, Masters, and 500-level tournaments are all that should be on the schedule, followed by exhibition events. That`s it. Other tournaments don`t help the sport at all.”
Furthermore, Kyrgios criticized tennis organizations for the absence of a dedicated players` association and the frequent changes in tennis balls used at different events.
“We work hard,” he stated. “You spend your whole life trying to earn a living as an athlete, and you aren`t even paid properly.”
“Our sport is the only one in the world that lacks an association. Players have no voice. We use different balls every week. Imagine playing in the NBA – one day you have a game in Los Angeles, then you travel to Boston and have to use a different ball there. How would you like that? It`s incredibly unprofessional.”
