Tsitsipas: Players will make revolution in tennis

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Stefanos Tsitsipas claims a tennis revolution is coming - and he hints players will lead it

Stefanos Tsitsipas has hinted the game's top players are ready to lead change in tennis in what may be a threat to the ATP Tour.
www.tennis365.com www.tennis365.com


Stefanos Tsitsipas claims a tennis revolution is coming – and he hints players will lead it​

Kevin Palmer12 hours ago

Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates 2024 Australian Open



Stefanos Tsitsipas has posted a long and detailed post on his X page suggesting tennis is about to undergo a revolution led by players who are demanding change.

With the debate over the long season and calls for change to the tennis schedule reaching fever pitch after Wimbledon and French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz demanded a reduced schedule, Greek star Tsitsipas has joined the debate in a statement that suggests players are willing to challenge the game’s current authorities.

“We’re on the edge of a tennis revolution, one driven by the players. It’s no longer about just surviving the tour; it’s about thriving in it,” said the two-time Grand Slam finalist. “Change isn’t easy, but if we do this right, tennis could enter a new era of greatness.”

Here is the full statement from Tsitispas, with the final couple of sections offering off the biggest talking points:

The Future of Tennis: Balancing Tradition with Player Longevity

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.

The Hard Truth of the Tour
The ATP and WTA calendars don’t give us a break. We’re constantly moving from one tournament to the next, trying to stay fit and focused. Injuries? They come with the territory. We’ve seen greats like Rafa and Murray speak out about the toll it takes on them, not just physically but mentally. And then there’s the pressure… just look at how Naomi Osaka opened up about her struggles with anxiety in the spotlight.
Despite the outcry, not much has changed. Organizers, sponsors, and broadcasters are focused on filling stadiums and attracting viewers. But what if we rethink this? There’s a real opportunity here to change the game for the better; to help players have longer, healthier careers, while still keeping fans excited.

Rethinking the Schedule: Less is More

What if we moved from quantity to quality? Imagine fewer tournaments, but each one carrying more importance. 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.

A rotating system for the smaller tournaments could be a solution. Instead of having us chase events around the world every week, tournaments could switch locations; one year in South America, the next in Asia. This would allow fans worldwide to enjoy the sport, while giving players some breathing space and spreading tennis globally without the exhausting travel.

Shortening the season could also make a big difference. It’s not just about avoiding injuries; it’s about keeping players in the game longer. Less wear and tear means more years of top-level tennis, stronger rivalries, and better matches. And let’s face it, the fans want to see the top players competing at their peak.


Technology for Longer Careers
We’re already seeing technology making its way into tennis, and we should embrace it fully. Wearable devices that track player fatigue could really change the game. Imagine knowing when an injury is about to happen or when to take a break based on recovery stats. If the ATP and WTA used this tech across the tour, it would help keep us healthier for longer.

Even AI can play a role; analysing training, match data, and recovery times to help us train smarter, not harder. Instead of always playing catch-up after an injury, we could be preventing them altogether. It’s about making sure we bring our best tennis to the court for years to come.

Players Taking Charge

The Player Councils in the ATP and WTA are starting to voice these concerns, and the momentum for change is growing. With leaders like Novak Djokovic stepping in, the push for a more player-friendly schedule is gaining traction. We players know better than anyone what’s needed, and now we’re in a unique position to negotiate these changes.

Breaking the Mold: Shaping Tennis for Tomorrow
This isn’t just a small change to the calendar; it’s a shift in how we play the game. A restructured schedule and the use of new technology would not only protect players’ health but also elevate the level of competition. More rest means better tennis, which leads to more excitement for the fans.

If we don’t adapt, we risk losing our stars to early retirements and constant injuries. 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.

A Game for the Future

We’re on the edge of a tennis revolution, one driven by the players. It’s no longer about just surviving the tour; it’s about thriving in it. Change isn’t easy, but if we do this right, tennis could enter a new era of greatness. This is our chance to set the standard for player care and innovation. It’s about taking the game we love and making it better, for players, fans, and the future of the sport. The revolution is here, and it’s going to change tennis for the better.
 
Last edited:
vokazu said:
The players council in ATP and WTA are pushing for less tournaments. The councils are pro players who represent all pro tennis players in the world.
Click to expand...
All for it, but he did not really give any ideas specific enough to really know. Too vague, but a overhaul sounds good to me.
 
vokazu said:
www.tennis365.com

Stefanos Tsitsipas claims a tennis revolution is coming - and he hints players will lead it

Stefanos Tsitsipas has hinted the game's top players are ready to lead change in tennis in what may be a threat to the ATP Tour.
www.tennis365.com www.tennis365.com


Stefanos Tsitsipas claims a tennis revolution is coming – and he hints players will lead it​

Kevin Palmer12 hours ago

Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates 2024 Australian Open



Stefanos Tsitsipas has posted a long and detailed post on his X page suggesting tennis is about to undergo a revolution led by players who are demanding change.

With the debate over the long season and calls for change to the tennis schedule reaching fever pitch after Wimbledon and French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz demanded a reduced schedule, Greek star Tsitsipas has joined the debate in a statement that suggests players are willing to challenge the game’s current authorities.

“We’re on the edge of a tennis revolution, one driven by the players. It’s no longer about just surviving the tour; it’s about thriving in it,” said the two-time Grand Slam finalist. “Change isn’t easy, but if we do this right, tennis could enter a new era of greatness.”

Here is the full statement from Tsitispas, with the final couple of sections offering off the biggest talking points:

The Future of Tennis: Balancing Tradition with Player Longevity

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.

The Hard Truth of the Tour
The ATP and WTA calendars don’t give us a break. We’re constantly moving from one tournament to the next, trying to stay fit and focused. Injuries? They come with the territory. We’ve seen greats like Rafa and Murray speak out about the toll it takes on them, not just physically but mentally. And then there’s the pressure… just look at how Naomi Osaka opened up about her struggles with anxiety in the spotlight.
Despite the outcry, not much has changed. Organizers, sponsors, and broadcasters are focused on filling stadiums and attracting viewers. But what if we rethink this? There’s a real opportunity here to change the game for the better; to help players have longer, healthier careers, while still keeping fans excited.

Rethinking the Schedule: Less is More

What if we moved from quantity to quality? Imagine fewer tournaments, but each one carrying more importance. 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.

A rotating system for the smaller tournaments could be a solution. Instead of having us chase events around the world every week, tournaments could switch locations; one year in South America, the next in Asia. This would allow fans worldwide to enjoy the sport, while giving players some breathing space and spreading tennis globally without the exhausting travel.

Shortening the season could also make a big difference. It’s not just about avoiding injuries; it’s about keeping players in the game longer. Less wear and tear means more years of top-level tennis, stronger rivalries, and better matches. And let’s face it, the fans want to see the top players competing at their peak.


Technology for Longer Careers
We’re already seeing technology making its way into tennis, and we should embrace it fully. Wearable devices that track player fatigue could really change the game. Imagine knowing when an injury is about to happen or when to take a break based on recovery stats. If the ATP and WTA used this tech across the tour, it would help keep us healthier for longer.

Even AI can play a role; analysing training, match data, and recovery times to help us train smarter, not harder. Instead of always playing catch-up after an injury, we could be preventing them altogether. It’s about making sure we bring our best tennis to the court for years to come.

Players Taking Charge

The Player Councils in the ATP and WTA are starting to voice these concerns, and the momentum for change is growing. With leaders like Novak Djokovic stepping in, the push for a more player-friendly schedule is gaining traction. We players know better than anyone what’s needed, and now we’re in a unique position to negotiate these changes.

Breaking the Mold: Shaping Tennis for Tomorrow
This isn’t just a small change to the calendar; it’s a shift in how we play the game. A restructured schedule and the use of new technology would not only protect players’ health but also elevate the level of competition. More rest means better tennis, which leads to more excitement for the fans.

If we don’t adapt, we risk losing our stars to early retirements and constant injuries. 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.

A Game for the Future

We’re on the edge of a tennis revolution, one driven by the players. It’s no longer about just surviving the tour; it’s about thriving in it. Change isn’t easy, but if we do this right, tennis could enter a new era of greatness. This is our chance to set the standard for player care and innovation. It’s about taking the game we love and making it better, for players, fans, and the future of the sport. The revolution is here, and it’s going to change tennis for the better.
Click to expand...
Shorten the season to keep players in the game longer? Playing on the circuit from 17 to 38 isn't long enough?
 
If top players aren't tired from time to time, and there are fewer tournaments, what chance do the up and comers have to get points? It is not necessary to reduce the number of tournaments, just reduce the obligatory minimum number of tournaments that players must attend. That way if a hardworking player of the type of Ferrer or Millman want to play more, they can, but top players dont have to turn up to the tournaments they were going to tank at anyway to get some time off.
 
penguin said:
If top players aren't tired from time to time, and there are fewer tournaments, what chance do the up and comers have to get points? It is not necessary to reduce the number of tournaments, just reduce the obligatory minimum number of tournaments that players must attend. That way if a hardworking player of the type of Ferrer or Millman want to play more, they can, but top players dont have to turn up to the tournaments they were going to tank at anyway to get some time off.
Click to expand...

This is the only viable solution.
 
This guy is hilarious, he is complaining about the schedule being too ruthless, which could be a valid point, yet he's very happy to play the useless glorified EXHIBITION that is the Laver Cup, when the season is not even over yet. And I am sure he would have been head over heels to play the exhibition in Saudi Arabia as well. Revolution my *ss. Tennis players can be great entertainers, but I won't look up to them for values. Maybe there are a few out there with truly adamant and steadfast convictions that could really make a stance and make some sort of difference, embodying meaningful ideals, but I doubt Tsitsipas is one of them.

What is most likely to happen is that the 250s are going to die and that the discrepancy, the gap between the elite and the journeymen/journeywomen is only going to become more and more significant.
 
Last edited:
penguin said:
If top players aren't tired from time to time, and there are fewer tournaments, what chance do the up and comers have to get points? It is not necessary to reduce the number of tournaments, just reduce the obligatory minimum number of tournaments that players must attend. That way if a hardworking player of the type of Ferrer or Millman want to play more, they can, but top players dont have to turn up to the tournaments they were going to tank at anyway to get some time off.
Click to expand...
So simple, and so brilliant! Why NOT do this, makes complete sense. ATP, WTA, listen up!
 
ironically the only workers rights supported by billionaires and millionaires are those of their fellow millionaire and billionaire tennis players
 
tennis3 said:
I’d get rid of all the Slams and most of the Masters (keep Paris) and replace them with joint Exhos (with equal pay of course)
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:D Sock will always have Paris.

Agree with your vision of the tour. The problem is they can’t get rid of the Slams; they have no control over the Slams. They could agree to boycott them. But I don’t trust Tsitsicrates to not pull a Kodes.:sneaky:
 
I've long believed the season is too long, at least at the top of the game. But I don't feel even a little bad for the top pros because it's all self-inflicted. Just stop playing so many tournaments. They could all take bigger rests, but they keep chasing the money. That's why they're still flying around the world even on their off days to play meaningless exos.
 
penguin said:
If top players aren't tired from time to time, and there are fewer tournaments, what chance do the up and comers have to get points? It is not necessary to reduce the number of tournaments, just reduce the obligatory minimum number of tournaments that players must attend. That way if a hardworking player of the type of Ferrer or Millman want to play more, they can, but top players dont have to turn up to the tournaments they were going to tank at anyway to get some time off.
Click to expand...
Would it even be better to go the other way and limit the amount of tournaments players can enter on the 250 and above level?
It might be a way to give lower level players more opportunities, more money and chances to get more air time. The only problem is will those tournaments survice without big names?

I think Roddick on his Podcast was suggesting somethilng like only 250's soon after the US Open giving lower level players the opportunity to earn while the top players could have a real off season.

Could this create sort of a minor league/qualifiying season after the US Open and before Oz to generate hype for up coming players. Take a break from talking about Sinner/Alcaraz and Djoker and really watch the development of future stars?
 
lefty10spro said:
At one time the big 3 were all in favor of ditching 3 out of 5. I am in favor of this and I would also include no-ad scoring. We are killing the men - the game is too physical for 5 hour battles and 20 minute deuce-ad games. Hell, the top marathoners are done in 2 hours.
Click to expand...
lol, yes good point. They also are not sitting every few minutes to take a break and having 10 minute bathroom breaks and being handed towels.
 
The players had their best opportunity to completely change the tennis landscape when the pandemic hit. That showed us just how easily the schedule could be changed in a way that hadn’t been previously thought possible since the 1970s.

But all the change was being made by organisers during that time. The players revealed themselves to be very greedy and self-serving and failed to come together and create change at all.

Maybe future generations of pros will make change but the current crop of players aren’t capable of doing something momentous like the 1973 revolution.

I hate to say it because they will eventually steal all the courtspace but if you want to see revolutionary and creative marketing that is led by players and administrators you only need to look at pickleball. That’s where it is happening. The way that sport is being run at the moment is very similar to what tennis was like in the early 1970s when it started booming.
 
Subway Tennis said:
The players had their best opportunity to completely change the tennis landscape when the pandemic hit. That showed us just how easily the schedule could be changed in a way that hadn’t been previously thought possible since the 1970s.

But all the change was being made by organisers during that time. The players revealed themselves to be very greedy and self-serving and failed to come together and create change at all.

Maybe future generations of pros will make change but the current crop of players aren’t capable of doing something momentous like the 1973 revolution.

I hate to say it because they will eventually steal all the courtspace but if you want to see revolutionary and creative marketing that is led by players and administrators you only need to look at pickleball. That’s where it is happening. The way that sport is being run at the moment is very similar to what tennis was like in the early 1970s when it started booming.
Click to expand...
Thank goodness I haven't seen Pickleball being played at the tennis clubs I play at in NZ. In one tennis academy in Australia Pickleball is being played more often than tennis, sadly.
 
vokazu said:
Thank goodness I haven't seen Pickleball being played at the tennis clubs I play at in NZ. In one tennis academy in Australia Pickleball is being played more often than tennis, sadly.
Click to expand...
Yes I’m in Australia and it doesn’t have much of a foothold here yet either but I fear that will change. Pickleball at the moment is similar to what tennis was like in the 70s a lot of the pro pickleball tour is very US-focused to save on overheads while they rapidly grow the sport.

I don’t care for the sport but there a lot of very creative things happening in the way that sport is being promoted and the players are working together a lot. Even pickleball doubles is huge. Meanwhile in tennis we have many many different stakeholders, very selfish star players and too many associations like ITF, ATP, WTA, Davis Cup, Grand Slam Committee, PTPA all the national federations etc etc all sniping at each other and infighting. The same thing that helped to bring down boxing with multiple corrupt federations de-centralising the professional version of the sport.
 

Novak Djokovic’s players’ association readies legal fight to reshape tennis calendar​

Exclusive: PTPA hires ‘multiple global law firms’ as its chief executive calls for a ‘full, top-to-bottom physical’ of the sport

The players’ association founded by Novak Djokovic is weighing up a programme of legal challenges that could reshape the world game.

The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) has hired “multiple global law firms” to carry out what its chief executive calls “a full, top-to-bottom physical of the entire structure of tennis”.

The PTPA’s central point is that the average tennis player remains overworked and underpaid by the standards of global sport. Although the ATP and WTA Tours have staved off the spectre of a LIV-style breakaway, mainly by granting official events to Saudi Arabia, it now seems as though revolution could come from within.

Already this season, we have seen proposals for a streamlined “Premium Tour” peter out, while cases of player burn-out proliferate, and matches increasingly extend into the small hours of the morning. Frustration is building within both the men’s and women’s locker rooms.

The news comes three days after former French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas posted – and then deleted – a 747-word message on X (formerly Twitter) that said: “The need for change is more urgent now than ever … The ATP and WTA calendars don’t give us a break … With leaders like Novak Djokovic stepping in, the push for a more player-friendly schedule is gaining traction.”

Shortly before that, both Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and British No 1 Jack Draper had separately attacked the sport’s packed schedule, with Alcaraz saying “it’s going to kill us in some way”, and Draper calling the status quo “mental”.

‘Players have most to win and most to lose’​

If the PTPA decides to bring a case, one sensitive area for both tours is their shared stance on exhibition events, such as the lucrative Six Kings Slam being played in Saudi Arabia in a fortnight’s time.

The ATP and WTA both use non-competition clauses which limit players’ ability to compete in these independent events away from the tour. But such restrictions could potentially be classed as restraint of trade if a legal challenge were to be launched.

PTPA chief executive Ahmad Nassar points out that, according to their data, tennis is the second-most watched sport globally after football, and yet it stands ninth on the list for player remuneration.

The players also complain that the four slams are paying roughly 14 to 16 per cent of their annual income out in prize money, whereas franchise sports in the USA – such as basketball – return around 50 per cent of their income to the players.

As Nassar told Telegraph Sport, tennis’s ongoing inertia is a far bigger problem for the players than it is for the various powerbrokers – most of whom are too busy with day-to-day firefighting to look at the sport as a whole.

“With regard to the reforms that tennis needs, the players have the most to win and the most to lose,” Nassar said. “All these other people, they don’t feel the urgency. Nobody on the planet has the urgency of a pro athlete. Every time you step on the court, your career could end – and even if it doesn’t, it’s still very short.”

The PTPA has mostly stayed out of the headlines for the past five years, concentrating on building its infrastructure, offering player services and benefits, and raising revenue via trading cards and computer games. But it is looking to step up on a number of fronts.

Nassar says that the PTPA’s legal review will not only focus on the ATP and WTA tours but also on the International Tennis Integrity Agency – which has overseen Jannik Sinner’s controversial doping case – the International Tennis Federation and the slams.

“The system is so biased against the players, as well as sub-optimal for fans and media partners and other commercial partners,” Nassar explained. “Only yesterday you had Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff playing in Beijing in what should be a celebrated match, but it’s late in the year and everyone’s already burned out.

“We’re ratcheting up the pressure with our review, engaging multiple outside counsels to really dig in and be overt and aggressive on the many flaws of the current system.”

This year, the players have found themselves busier than ever, thanks to the inclusion of the Olympic tennis event on the schedule and the fact that matches are running longer and longer. Meanwhile the ATP have extended Masters 1000 tournaments to two weeks and the WTA have bumped up the number of mandatory events from four to 10.

Burn-out is an increasingly common phenomenon, as described last week by French No 1 Caroline Garcia in an emotional social-media post.

“Lately, I’ve felt overwhelmed on tour – the pressure to perform, the eyes watching your every move,” wrote Garcia, who has shut down her season early. “I’ve been struggling with anxiety, closing myself off, feeling trapped on court … I’m choosing to step away for now.”

‌The man behind the movement​

The PTPA may have been founded in 2019 by Djokovic, working in tandem with Canadian pro Vasek Pospisil, but the appointment of Nassar as chief executive in 2022 represented a step up in ambition.

Unusually for the incestuous world of tennis, the 44-year-old Nassar has worked at a high level in other sports, including the NFL. His mentor was David Stern – formerly the commissioner of the US’s biggest basketball league – and he brings Stern’s can-do attitude to his present post.

While the PTPA has yet to be formally recognised by the tours or the slams, it is increasingly being included in the conversations around the future of the game. And Nassar believes that change is possible, despite the chaotic and internecine struggles that usually pass for tennis politics.

“David Stern loved to talk about how the NBA Finals weren’t even on live TV in the 1970s,” Nassar said. “These things change. I’m not saying that we’re going to become the world’s biggest sport tomorrow. I’m asking for a 10-year plan, because tennis needs a revamp and nobody seems to have an answer for where we are going next.”

www.telegraph.co.uk

Novak Djokovic’s players’ association readies legal fight to reshape tennis calendar

Exclusive: PTPA hires ‘multiple global law firms’ as its chief executive calls for a ‘full, top-to-bottom physical’ of the sport
www.telegraph.co.uk www.telegraph.co.uk
 
Whole tour is not in balance. People caring only about slams but top players always need to make the illusion other tournaments are very important. It just feels wrong. Everybody very excited if Alcaraz or Sinner wins China final. But in the end you just feel emptiness because it has no influence on the things important for fans (slam race). It was just an illusion.

I would like this:

4 defined parts of season (fast HC, clay, grass, slow HC) ending with the 4 slams.

Additional ranking starting with zero in each of the 4 parts of the season determining the seeding for the respective slam.

Players can play other tournaments but influence on ranking for seeding at slams only have defined preparation tournaments on the same defined surface as the slam.

All other tournaments optional for top players.

Normal ranking as it is still exists and is relevant to decide who gets into the preparation tournaments for slams (which then decide who will actually play the slam), and to decide who can play ATP finals. But number one has to be always the player who earned most points at last 4 slams + ATP finals.

ATP finals should always be in Asia to compensate for the fact that there is no slam.

In this scenario top players don't need to play much more than slams plus respective preparation tournaments. These preparation tournaments are much more exciting and important because they decide about entrance and seeding for slams.
But other tournaments are also not completely irrelevant because normal ranking still decides about ATP finals.
 
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