Follow us on Google Discover As Jack Draper prepares to return from injury, he’s urged his fellow ATP rivals to take a stand.
Over recent years and months, players on the ATP Tour have complained at length about the hectic tennis calendar.
The new two-week Masters 1000 events have added even more days to an already overwhelming schedule.
World number two Carlos Alcaraz has complained about the calendar on several occasions, even suggesting it would ‘kill’ players if nothing changes.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Weighing in with his thoughts on the issue, Draper says it’s time for everyone to stop complaining and start taking real action.
Jack Draper says players need to speak to the head of the ATP and make change happen
Appearing as a guest on ‘The Tennis Podcast’, Draper commented on the schedule crisis.
“It’s really difficult for a player to manage, especially in a sport that is quite lonely. Being on the road for those extra days and not having the time to come back in between, and just feeling like you are on a constant treadmill where it’s like one big event after one big event after another one,” he said.
“It’s just a lot of players spoke out about it. I think I saw [Carlos] Alcaraz say that they are going to kill us in some way. I think people get confused because it’s not necessarily about the physicality of the sport; it’s about just how much players are putting into the sport, especially if they are doing it properly.
“When it seems like there is a never-ending cycle of events, competition, and training, it’s really, really difficult.
“You’ll hear people say we are in such a privileged position, and I completely understand that. We are making great money, we are in a really good spot, playing a sport we love, but can the sport be better?
“Yes, it can.
“I think it’s now up to the players to stop talking about it all the time and actually take some action, come forward, speak about it, and speak to the head of the ATP and the organisations and really come to some solutions here.”
Photo by Benjamin Gilbert/AELTC via Getty Images
The Brit proceeded to comment on the mental burnout players are experiencing, and admitted some of his rivals are in a worse position than he is.
“You are seeing a lot of players come out and talk about mental health and that feel-nothing factor,” said Draper.
“I think a big part of it is because tennis players are just on the road so much now, and the governing bodies are just adding more days and more requirements to the players.
“I am someone who can go away to Madrid and come back home.
“A lot of these guys are from South America or from Asia, and they just don’t have any balance of life anymore in such a lonely sport, so I think that is a big problem.”
Draper was also keen to highlight the problems with the ATP bonus pools, which he believes ‘punish’ players.
‘There is more punishment’ – Jack Draper on longer Masters 1000s and bonus pools
The 23-year-old understands the intentions behind extending the Masters 1000 events were pure, but doesn’t think it’s had the desired effect.
“I think the intention was really good with the Masters 1000s and making them 12 days and increasing the revenue for the events and giving back to the players, especially the ones who are performing really well,” said Draper.
2025 Masters 1000 eventsTournamentSurfaceDrawChampionIndian WellsHard96 (12 day)Jack DraperMiami OpenHard96 (12 day)Jakub MensikMonte-Carlo MastersClay56 (7 day)Carlos AlcarazMadrid OpenClay96 (12 day)Casper RuudItalian OpenClay96 (12 day)Carlos AlcarazCanadian OpenHard96 (12 day)Ben SheltonCincinnati OpenHard96 (12 day)Carlos AlcarazShanghai MastersHard96 (12 day)Valentin VacherotParis MastersHard (Indoor)56 (7 day)Jannik Sinner
“But the requirements are high. They have added an extra 21 days onto an already really packed schedule. The Slams have also added four days. That is a different topic, but it just seems like there are more requirements for players. There is more punishment.
“When I speak about punishment, I speak about the fact that it’s directly linked to the bonus pool, so if a player were to go out and have a really bad injury somehow, there is no protection, and they will lose 25% of their bonus pool for each event they have missed.
“So say this year I have missed three events, I will get a performance bonus pool, but in actual reality, it’s not incredible.”
Draper missed four Masters 1000 tournaments due to injury in 2025.
Canadian OpenCincinnati OpenShanghai MastersParis Masters
The world number 11 will lose out on prize money as a result, something that doesn’t seem fair at all…
Only time will tell if Draper’s comments will drive change, but it will certainly be something to look out for in the future.