By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, October 6, 2024
Masters and majors are rising—and that can profit long-term well being of gamers, asserts ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.
Assembly the media on the Rolex Shanghai Masters at present, Gaudenzi was requested if there is a concern increasing the size of Masters 1000 and Grand Slam tournaments might pressure gamers.Â
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Earlier this week, officers introduced the 2024 Australian Open will function a historic Sunday begin and be part of Roland Garros because the second Grand Slam to broaden to fifteen days moderately than the normal 14 days. We have additionally seen Masters 1000 occasions broaden with the Miami Open going to a Sunday begin.
Former French Open finalist and long-time standout coach Magnus Norman is worried increasing tournaments might be a well being hazard to gamers. Norman factors out longer tournaments imply extra follow and preparation time in addition to extra days on the street which makes him “apprehensive for gamers bodily and maybe even extra psychological well being.”
Masters 1000 from 7 to 10 days. Grand Slam from 14 to fifteen days. Tennis simply provides an increasing number of. 25 years in the past subject amongst gamers have been IW and Miami to lengthy of a swing. Apprehensive for gamers bodily and maybe even extra psychological well being
— Magnus Norman (@normansweden) October 3, 2023
A former ATP participant, Gaudenzi argues the longer format will truly profit gamers by giving them a time without work between rounds and should not impose a serious impression for the reason that match size primarily impacts gamers who go deep within the draw whereas gamers who make early-round exits will mainly spend the identical period of time at a match.
“This yr now we have upgraded Madrid, Rome, and Shanghai, however Indian Wells and Miami, they’ve been already two weeks, 10 to 12 days attracts for round 30 years, even after I was round taking part in,” Gaudenzi advised the media in Shanghai. “I strongly consider that gamers will get adjusted to it. In the end, sure, it’s longer, however it’s longer for the gamers who truly get to the top of the tournaments as a result of if you happen to lose first, second, or third spherical, in the end, it could be the same quantity of days.”
The day of relaxation and restoration between rounds is an important, which makes Gaudenzi “very assured” longer tournaments might be useful for gamers’ psychological and bodily well being.
“However what I actually consider is vital is now gamers can have a time without work in between matches, and that within the long-term, I feel decreases the probabilities of accidents,” Gaudenzi mentioned. “So that they clearly have to regulate their schedule and possibly take a number of extra breaks in between tournaments to spend a number of extra weeks residence as a result of there may be probably extra days on the street.
“However from a psychological well being and bodily well being standpoint, I feel having 96 draw performed over 12 days is loads higher than having to play six matches in seven days back-to-back as a result of that is actually the place the accidents come up. So time will inform, however I feel we’re very assured it should work out.”
Picture credit score: ATP