"If Nadal, Federer or Serena Williams had been able to play for more years": Stefanos Tsitsipas proposes unique solution to 'change' future of tennis
Stefanos Tsitsipas has become the latest active player to weigh in on the debate about the demanding tennis calendar. Prior to him, the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have also shared their two cents on the issue.
The Greek, however, did not simply highlight the busy schedule that tennis players have to manoeuvre year-round but instead came up with solutions.
Taking to social media, Tsitsipas not only spoke about the ill effects of having players compete at so many tournaments in a year but also offered ways to improve the Tour.
He started off his post by highlighting the need for “change”, saying the constant year-round pressure to perform at the highest level is not good for players.
"Tennis has always been a sport with deep roots, but those of us who play it know the demands of the year-round schedule. It’s a topic that’s been discussed before, yet the need for change is more urgent now than ever. Endless flights across continents, the constant pressure to perform; it’s pushing even the best players to their limits," Stefanos Tsitsipas wrote on X.
Looking to strike an emotional chord with tennis fans, the Greek fell back on tennis legends Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, saying had the Tour been easier on them, they would have played longer. He went on to say a shorter, less demanding Tour would not only preserve careers but the sport’s essence.
"If we don’t adapt, we risk losing our stars to early retirements and constant injuries," the Greek said. "Just think how different tennis might look if players like Rafa, Roger, or Serena had been able to play at their best for a few more years."
"This isn’t just about preserving careers; it’s about preserving the essence of the sport itself," he added.
"What if we moved from quantity to quality" - Stefanos Tsitsipas' prposal to reduce pressure on players
The addition of the Paris Olympics meant that the 2024 season is even longer than the already packed calendar year. For Stefanos Tsitsipas, there was an immediate need to shift from “quantity” to “quality”.
The Greek said playing fewer tournaments with more importance would allow players more time to rest and recover and in turn give their best on court.
"What if we moved from quantity to quality? Imagine fewer tournaments, but each one carrying more importance," Stefanos Tsitsipas wrote on X. "It’s not about having a packed schedule; it’s about giving us players enough time to recover, so we’re always ready to give our best on the court."
Tsitsipas is in the middle of a poor stretch, having made it past the second round only at the Swiss Open since way back in June.