NICOLAS JERRY CHILE VS Tommy Paul USA during Internazionali BNL 2024 men’s ATP 1000 Open tennis tournament in Rome Center Court

Frustration grows over longer ATP events

October 30, 2025 Aksel Kryhlmand

For most tennis fans, the idea of more matches probably sounds like great news.

Stretching tournaments over nearly two weeks might seem like a treat, more star players, more time to watch, and more storylines unfolding on court.

But from the players’ perspective, the longer format isn’t winning many fans.

A calendar in transition

The shift began in 2023 when the ATP, the governing body for men’s professional tennis, expanded three Masters events (Madrid, Rome, and Shanghai).

In 2024, Indian Wells and Miami were added to the list, and in 2025, the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Masters also adopted the longer schedule.

This means that now, seven of the nine Masters 1000 tournaments has now stretched, with Paris and Monte Carlo being the two remaining week-long Masters tournaments.

But the players do not support the change.

Unnecessary off days

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev told TV 2 Sport that the traditional one-week format keeps players more engaged and less exhausted.

“We play every day, we’re only here for a week, and it’s really great. We don’t have those off days, which I think are unnecessary when matches are best-of-three sets.”

Zverev added that shorter events mean less time away from home. The shorter periods means you don’t spend extra days at tournaments, so it gives you more time at home.

World No. 6 Ben Shelton agreed, saying that the seven-day format helps maintain playing rhythm. Speaking to TV 2 Sport, he says that playing more matches in a shorter period helps keep the players' rhythm, and it shows on court as the tennis level is higher in week-long events.

ATP wants Masters to rival Grand Slams

ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi defended the changes by stating that the changes is to elevate the Masters 1000 series to rival the four Grand Slams, which are independently organized and not overseen by the ATP.

At a December 2023 conference with broadcast rights holders, including TV2-Sport, ATP confirmed its intention for all Masters events to become 12-day tournaments. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) reportedly shares this ambition.

However, the plan clearly clashes with the views of many top players. Stars such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Jack Draper have all spoken out against the expansion, calling it unnecessary and exhausting.