Jannik Sinner might not be a loud critic of the ATP calendar, but he still has reservations about certain events.
In recent weeks and months, many players have been vocal about the tennis schedule. Players competing on both the ATP and the WTA Tours felt that the schedule was too busy, especially after the latest expansion of the ATP and WTA 1000 tournaments, many of which now last two weeks instead of one.
Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz were some of the most prominent critics, with dozens of others also joining the criticism. However, the reigning World No. 1 on the ATP Tour, Jannik Sinner, wasn't one of them.
After Alcaraz complained about having to play too many tournaments, the Italian player responded that he didn't have to play so many, suggesting that the Spanish player could be wiser in picking his spots, especially since he played at the Laver Cup in Berlin at the time, which is essentially an exhibition event.
Sinner maintained that he, as a player, can choose tournaments that he will play and create his schedule around that, which worked for him perfectly this year.
That was the case mostly because the 23-year-old made a deep run at every tournament he played. Every single time, Sinner made it at least to the quarter-finals, and excluding the Madrid Open, where he withdrew before his quarter-final match, he made at least the semi-final of every tournament until Wimbledon, which was held in July.
That consistency allowed him to play very few tournaments as his deep runs ensured him plenty of points to reach the World No. 1 rank by the French Open. Still, even he has some reservations when it comes to the schedule, as he revealed at the 2024 Shanghai Masters when asked about it.
Sinner explained that if he could make one change, it would be not having the Davis Cup Finals held after the ATP Finals. The year-end championship, where the eight best players qualify, will be held from November 10th to 17th in Turin this year, while the Davis Cup Finals will start on November 19th in Malaga.
For someone who will be among the favorites at both events, at the Davis Cup with Italy, it's not ideal to have such a packed last two weeks of the season, especially with the opposition at these events being extremely strong.
"Yeah, I mean, we have a lot of tournaments, that's for sure. That what would be ideal is that after the ATP Finals there is no Davis Cup. I think that's for sure one thing we, I would change in the schedule."
Despite not being happy about the placement of the Davis Cup Finals, Sinner once again reiterated that players can choose when they will play.
"The rest we can still choose as a player, no, if I play Beijing or if I play here. I feel like this season we chose the right tournaments and the right time, and for me it was no problem."
The World No. 1 player was also able to recognize the situation of lower-ranked players, who might not have the privilege of choosing tournaments, as an early exit at one event might mean having to enroll for another one for them.
"I do understand other players sometimes if, you know, they were 30, 40, 50 in the world, you know, which they have to protect their self a little bit more, then it's a different question or suggestion. But, you know, talking for my side, we player can still choose."
"We have the Masters series, which are mandatory and this, yes, but, you know, for example, this, I could choose if I play Beijing before a Masters or not, so there are some things what we player can choose, so I think it's, yeah, it's okay."
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