Tim Henman, the former British No. 1, has publicly urged the ATP to rethink its tournament schedule, arguing that the current 12‑day format of the Masters 1000 events imposes an unsustainable amount of tennis on players. In a candid interview, Henman highlighted how the extended duration of these elite tournaments contributes to a grueling travel schedule and, ultimately, a rise in injuries across the tour. The issue of player fatigue has become increasingly visible this season.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, for example, will miss the upcoming China Open because a knee injury sustained after Wimbledon has forced him into a longer-than‑expected recovery period.
Similarly, Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz was sidelined at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon due to a lingering wrist problem, while British talents Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper have each endured protracted absences during 2026. These high‑profile setbacks illustrate a broader trend: the modern calendar leaves little room for rest.
Henman, who captured the Paris Masters title in 2003, explained that eight of the nine Masters 1000 events are mandatory for top‑ranked players, in addition to four compulsory ATP 500 tournaments. The expansion of most Masters events to a 12‑day stretch has been a point of contention among players for several years. "The 12‑day Masters 1000s are simply too much tennis," Henman said.
"It means excessive time on the road, and we’re seeing a growing number of injuries as a direct result. I would cut the duration down to eight or nine days, which would free up the calendar and give players a genuine chance to recover." Beyond the length of the events, Henman suggested a more radical rule change: eliminating the let serve. "Every other shot can hit the top of the net, go over and in, so I would get rid of it and play it as it comes," he remarked, indicating that a simpler rule could potentially speed up matches and reduce physical strain. Alcaraz, who returned to competition at the US Open after a lengthy hiatus caused by his wrist injury, echoed the sentiment of needing more downtime.
Speaking in New York, the Spaniard admitted, "My break was longer than expected. Given the packed schedule, I didn’t want to stop because of an injury, but in the future I will take longer breaks—maybe one or two months, skipping certain tournaments—because it’s impossible to play them all." During the Laver Cup, which saw Team Europe emerge victorious, Alcaraz further emphasized how the sport has evolved.
"The balls, the courts, the speed of play—everything is more aggressive now. We need weeks to train physically and to practice.
There are more important tournaments, forcing us to play more and more, so I really want to take breaks. If the ATP and Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi want us to compete in a lot of big events, they need to do something about the schedule," he warned.
Other players are also questioning the current format. Italian rising star Flavio Cobolli reflected on the sheer number of tournaments and matches he endures each year.
"If you look at the number of tournaments and the number of matches we play during the year, it’s not that high. We’re used to playing that much.
The only thing we’re not used to is staying at a tournament for so many days. The tournament format has changed, and maybe we still need to get used to it.
I’ve now been away from home for almost a month and a half, and even if I had gone all the way here, I would have played fewer than ten matches," he explained. Veteran doubles specialist Jamie Murray, speaking to Sky Sports Tennis, voiced a similar perspective. "I can totally understand it from the players’ point of view. The Tour is longer than it’s ever been in terms of commitment and days away from home.
These younger guys have seen how Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have elongated their careers—how they finished their careers as well. If they want to play until they’re 34, 35, 36, they will probably have to skip tournaments, and that’s something the Tour needs to consider. The Tour is catering for over a hundred players and they want to be out there competing," Murray said.
Collectively, these comments paint a picture of a sport at a crossroads. The ATP faces the challenge of balancing commercial interests—such as broadcasting rights and sponsor obligations—with the health and longevity of its athletes. Reducing the Masters 1000 events to eight or nine days could create a more compact schedule, allowing players to recover physically and mentally while still delivering high‑quality tennis for fans.
In addition to trimming the duration of events, the governing body might explore alternative solutions, such as rotating mandatory tournaments, offering more optional weeks, or even revisiting the point distribution to lessen the pressure on players to compete in every high‑profile event. Such reforms could help preserve the sport’s competitive integrity while fostering a sustainable environment for its stars. As the conversation continues, the tennis community—players, officials, and supporters alike—will be watching closely to see whether the ATP will act on these calls for change or maintain the status quo.
The health of the game, and the careers of its most talented athletes, may well depend on the decisions made in the coming months.