Tennis Players Divided Over Two-Week Masters Events
Tennis players are divided over the new two-week format for Masters events, with some finding it challenging to stay focused and recover, while others see it as an opportunity to showcase their skills.
Judy Murray, the mother of Grand Slam champions Andy Murray and Jamie Murray, expressed her concerns about the new schedule, calling it too long and hard to follow. Players like Andrey Rublev and Iga Swiatek shared their mixed feelings about the extended tournaments, highlighting the mental and physical challenges they face.
While some players, like Daniil Medvedev, believe that the rest days in the two-week format can help prevent injuries, others, like Elena Rybakina, feel that the expanded schedule puts pressure on players to participate in more events.
For younger players like Jiri Lehecka, who reached his first Masters semi-final in Madrid, the experience of playing in one-week events is still new. He acknowledged the difficulties of being away from home for extended periods but recognized it as part of the game.
With more Masters events set to expand to two weeks next year, the players will have to adapt to the new format. Despite the challenges it presents, the two-week tournaments are likely here to stay, and players will need to find ways to cope with the demands of the extended schedule.