Key Takeaways
- John McEnroe stated that players from his era competed more often, pointing out that modern athletes have the freedom to select lucrative schedules.
- Carlos Alcaraz voiced serious concerns regarding the calendar at the Shanghai Masters, warning that excessive mandatory tournaments lead to injuries.
- McEnroe reiterated his long-standing proposal to replace standard fifth sets at Grand Slams with a 10-point tiebreak to reduce physical fatigue.
Differing views on the demands of the tour
The continuous debate over the demanding professional tennis schedule has sparked disagreement between generations. Speaking during an event in Madrid organized by the Sanitas Foundation, John McEnroe questioned the severity of modern calendar complaints, pointing out that competitors in his era faced heavy match loads without the same level of flexibility.
While acknowledging the intense physical nature of today’s game, the 7-time major champion reflected on his own experiences on tour. “We played more than they play now, let’s be clear about that. Maybe it’s tougher physically, or maybe they suffer more fatigue, I don’t know,” McEnroe stated during an appearance on Spanish radio. He also noted the logistical shifts in the calendar, recalling that players once contested tournaments late into December: “We played the Australian Open at Christmas.”
Financial incentives and tournament freedom
McEnroe suggested that current professionals possess significant freedom in curating their schedules, largely driven by the financial rewards available across modern events. “Today, I get the feeling that players play whatever they want,” the former world No. 1 observed. “Tournaments are about money, there are a thousand competitions and so they earn more money. They add days for you and you earn more money.”
His remarks stand in contrast to recent statements from Carlos Alcaraz, who voiced frustration over the ATP schedule during the Shanghai Masters. The Spaniard expressed concern regarding mounting injuries across the locker room, including physical setbacks faced by Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz argued that officials push competitors into participating in too many matches and noted that playing all mandatory events would mean competing for nearly 40 weeks in a single season.
Evolving perspectives and proposed solutions
Despite his comments in Madrid, McEnroe has previously shown sympathy toward the strain athletes endure. During the Laver Cup in September, the American highlighted the rapid tempo and heavy hitting of modern tennis, suggesting that ranking criteria should reward excellence rather than sheer volume. “They should play what they want. If you only play six tournaments but you win them all, you might be No 1,” McEnroe remarked at the time.
To ease physical burdens at major tournaments, McEnroe has also spent decades lobbying for decisive adjustments to long matches. “It’s playing the best of five sets, but at two sets all, playing the deciding set as a super tiebreak to 10,” McEnroe explained, reiterating his proposal for fifth-set formats. Even with their differing viewpoints on tour scheduling, the American emphasized his admiration for Alcaraz, describing the young star as his favorite player to watch.
ATP Shanghai - Carlos Alcaraz's projected path
Alcaraz in Shanghai, ranking, and results in 2026
Now ranked no.3, the Spaniard has managed to achieve an overall 34-4 match record in 2026. Alcaraz is now playing in Shanghai where he ousted the world no.55 Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3 6-3.
Carlos Alcaraz will face the world no.9 Alex De Minaur in the Round Robin on Unknown at 5:00 pm on Court 1. Their actual record is 6-0 for Alcaraz.
The Spaniard conquered 3 titles in 2026 at the Australian Open, Doha and Tokyo.
The Spaniard won 28 titles in his career: 11 on hard courts, 11 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
