From Perth to Melbourne, on to Mexico, through the USA and across Europe to China: Alexander Zverev completed a trip around the world in a hurry this year. There are around 68,000 kilometers as the crow flies between its previous 21 venues - that's more than one and a half times around the world.
Like much of the tennis entourage, the world number one is constantly on the move, switching between continents and time zones and increasingly complaining about the strain of the overcrowded tournament calendar. "I am of the opinion that unfortunately things are going in the wrong direction for us. We should play two or three weeks less to give our bodies the chance to rest," demanded Zverev recently in Vienna.
His compatriot Laura Siegemund described traveling in the ZDF “Sportstudio” as “one of the greatest stresses”. Added to this are the frequent changes between time zones and climate conditions. Siegemund called the strenuous journey around the globe “jumping across continents”.
The tightly scheduled tennis season is taking up more and more time for the professionals. The major Masters tournaments in particular have been extended in recent years. While in 2022 only two of the nine events lasted just under two weeks, there are now seven.
If you take longer breaks, you risk slipping
The fact that the professionals still rush from tournament to tournament is also due to the system. In addition to high prize money, valuable world ranking points are at stake. These are no longer counted after 52 weeks and must be replaced by new achievements. Anyone who takes longer breaks therefore risks slipping in the rankings. The placement in turn determines whether you can participate directly in major tournaments or take the detour via qualification. In addition, top professionals have to play certain tournaments. A cycle that makes longer breaks difficult.
The ATP defended the development last year. President Andrea Gaudenzi pointed out that the professionals could basically determine their tournament schedules themselves. At the same time, he acknowledged the high level of workload and promised a longer winter break. He justified the expansion of the Masters tournaments with increasing income, from which the players also benefited. Zverev, for example, has collected almost 14 million euros in gross prize money so far this year.
Nevertheless, the criticism that has been going on for years has not stopped. “This is going in the wrong direction,” said the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open. The enjoyment of sport in particular is at risk of suffering under the constant strain. "Sometimes when you play such a long season and compete in tournaments week after week, I feel like I lose the joy of playing. Then I just don't enjoy it on the court anymore." He wants to be able to miss tennis from time to time. But there is hardly any time for that at the moment. “It’s one tournament after another, over and over again,” Alcaraz continued to criticize.
It is unclear whether the rigors of travel increase the players' susceptibility to injury. What is noticeable, however, is that numerous top stars recently had to take a break for months. The Italian Jannik Sinner has not played a match since Wimbledon due to knee problems and ended his ATP season prematurely. Alcaraz had to take a forced break of several months.
The Briton Jack Draper has been struggling with long-term injury problems since August 2025 and wants to plan his tournament more carefully in the future. “A lot of young players today look at the tournament calendar – and some say: ‘Oh, you don’t have to play every week.’ But ultimately these young players want to be number 1. And to achieve that, you have to compete week after week,” Draper told BAGEL Magazine.
Zverev skips United Cup
Zverev reacts to the constant stress and foregoes the team competition in Australia at the turn of the year. "I'm not playing the United Cup because it's simply impossible for me. Because then I could basically fly straight to Australia from my vacation," said the 29-year-old.
Alcaraz has also decided to take more breaks in the future. “At some point you have the feeling that you are not really prepared at some tournaments,” said the Spaniard.
But as soon as salaries worth millions are enticing, there still seems to be room even in the tightest schedule. Many of the complaining tennis stars still take part in exhibition tournaments such as the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia. Two-time champion Jannik Sinner earned a total of six million dollars for just three matches in 2025 - more than for a Grand Slam triumph.
Explosive: Despite his time out due to injury, the five-time Grand Slam winner announced his comeback for the show tournament in Riyadh. Zverev and Alcaraz are also part of the announced field of participants. The event was postponed until the end of December - right in the middle of the professionals' already short winter break.
