It’s been the talk of tennis for all the wrong reasons, so are two week Masters 1000 events killing tennis once and for all?
We used to be a real sport. The time when Masters 1000 events used to only last one week with a 56 player field that lasted seven days.
It was a convenient and efficient format that suited the players, fans and journalists as we could enjoy world class tennis.
Of course the only exception was Indian Wells and Miami with the rare two week events still being rather enjoyable.
However, things have now changed. An introduction for most ATP and WTA events to be two week Masters 1000 events have now dragged the life out of the players, fans and all those who enjoyed the sport.
Although there has been negativity surrounding the two week version, the negativity has increased with Canada taking a step further with the final taking place on a Thursday.
Yes. You heard that right. A Thursday. Final. Can. It. Get. More. Complicated? And. Confusing?
So why were two week Masters 1000 events introduced? Well according to Andrea Gaudenzi more financial opportunities have been unlocked.
“We recognise the concerns raised by some top players that longer events can introduce an element of fatigue or burnout related to being away from home for extended periods,” Gaudenzi exclusively told the BBC Sport website.
“However, players ultimately have the autonomy to craft their own schedules based on their priorities – a freedom that comes with being independent contractors, unlike many other sports where players are bound by fixed schedules.”
But wait did I hear Gaudenzi admit that players that actually play the sport are fed up with the changes to the calendar?
Did I hear player burnout is a thing and people are getting even more tired of the sport we used to love?
Never mind, according to Gaudenzi it’s all about the potential, “Next season will see yet more enhancements to the ATP Tour’s premium product across a streamlined calendar,” Gaudenzi told the ATP website.
“This is central to everything we’ve been building under OneVision, which ultimately aims to create the best possible experience for our fans. Last season we broke new ground, welcoming a record five million fans on site across our events. This is just one indication of how positively the sport is trending, and we believe there’s incredible potential to still be unlocked.”
Potential is still to be unlocked, huh?
Well the only thing to be unlocked unfortunately is people’s sleeping patterns. As Tsitsipas said, ‘it’s a drag.’
Things are progressing slowly, not enough captivating matches and things are taking too long.
The finances may say the sport isn’t being killed but player fatigue and fans boredom says something else.
14 of the world’s top 20 pulled out of Toronto while big players are withdrawing from Grand Slam events. Is that really good for the sport? Is that really good for the excitement for tennis?
ATP 250 events such as Atlanta and Estoril are being made way with for longer Masters 1000 events.
The rich are getting rich and the bored are getting even more bored. If you thought this article would be a new revelation, it’s not.
Everyone knows this is the case but now it’s time to make the voices louder before it’s too late and the sport dies once and for all.
