Former British No. 1 Tim Henman has publicly urged the ATP to rethink its schedule, arguing that the current 12‑day format of the Masters 1000 tournaments imposes an excessive workload on players. Henman, who captured the Paris Masters title in 2003, highlighted the growing injury crisis among top athletes as evidence that the calendar is unsustainable. He suggested trimming the duration of these events to eight or nine days, which would free up valuable time in the season and reduce the amount of travel required for competitors.
Henman's comments come amid a wave of high‑profile withdrawals and injury setbacks that have plagued the 2026 tour. World No.
1 Jannik Sinner confirmed he will miss the upcoming China Open due to a lingering knee problem, marking the second consecutive week he has been forced to sit out after a prolonged absence since Wimbledon. Similarly, Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz has been sidelined for both the French Open and Wimbledon because of a wrist injury, while British talents Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper have each endured lengthy spells away from the court.
The ATP’s Masters 1000 circuit now comprises nine tournaments, eight of which are mandatory for the sport’s elite, alongside four compulsory ATP 500 events. Over the past few years, many of these Masters events have expanded to a 12‑day schedule, a change that has drawn criticism from players who feel the added days translate into more time on the road, greater fatigue, and a higher risk of injury. Henman, who reached a career‑high ranking of world No. 4, believes the solution lies in a structural overhaul rather than minor tweaks.
"It’s well documented that a 12‑day Masters 1000 is simply too much tennis," Henman told reporters. "The extended travel and the sheer number of matches are taking a toll on our bodies. I would cut the tournament length to eight or nine days – that would give the calendar some breathing room." In addition to his schedule suggestions, Henman floated a more radical rule change: eliminating the let serve.
Under current rules, a serve that clips the net cord and lands in the service box is replayed as a let. Henman argued that this rule adds unnecessary stoppage time and could be removed, allowing play to continue as soon as the ball clears the net. Alcaraz, who returned to competition at the US Open after a long layoff due to his wrist injury, echoed the sentiment that the tour’s pace is unsustainable. Speaking in New York, the Spaniard admitted his recovery period was longer than anticipated and pledged to take longer breaks in the future, even if that means skipping certain tournaments.
"I don’t want to push through injuries just to fill the calendar. In the future I’ll aim for one- or two‑month breaks, not four months, but I’ll be more selective about which events I play," he said.
At the Laver Cup, where Team Europe emerged victorious, Alcaraz further elaborated on the evolving nature of the sport. He noted that changes in ball composition, court speed, and playing style have made the game more physically demanding, requiring players to allocate additional weeks for training and recovery. "We need more time to practice and build physical resilience. The calendar forces us to compete in more important tournaments than ever before, so I strongly support taking scheduled breaks," he added, urging ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi to consider reforms.
Italian rising star Flavio Cobolli also expressed reservations about the modern tournament format. He pointed out that while the total number of matches per season has not dramatically increased, the length of each event has. "We’re accustomed to playing many matches, but staying at a single tournament for two weeks is a new challenge.
I’ve been away from home for over a month and a half and still played fewer than ten matches," Cobolli explained, highlighting the mental strain of prolonged stays away from family and familiar environments. Veteran doubles specialist Jamie Murray shared a similar perspective during an interview with Sky Sports Tennis. He emphasized that the tour now demands a greater commitment of time away from home than ever before, especially for younger players who aspire to extend their careers into their mid‑30s, following the examples set by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
"If players want to stay competitive until 34, 35, or even 36, they’ll have to be strategic about which tournaments they enter. The tour must adapt to this reality," Murray said. Collectively, these voices paint a picture of a sport at a crossroads.
The combination of longer tournament durations, an increasingly aggressive style of play, and a packed calendar is leading to higher injury rates and growing fatigue among the elite. While the ATP has historically defended the Masters 1000 format as essential for maintaining the sport’s global appeal and revenue, the mounting player concerns suggest that a reassessment may be overdue. Potential solutions could include shortening the Masters events, as Henman proposes, introducing mandatory rest periods, or even revisiting the mandatory participation rules for certain tournaments.
Additionally, rule changes like removing the let serve could streamline matches and reduce downtime, aligning with the broader goal of making the sport more player‑friendly. As the tennis world watches the upcoming China Open and the remainder of the season, the debate over scheduling and player welfare is likely to intensify. Stakeholders—from players and coaches to tournament organizers and governing bodies—must balance commercial interests with the health and longevity of the athletes who make the sport possible.
The outcome of this dialogue could shape the future of professional tennis for years to come.