By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, June 16, 2025
Photograph credit score: US Open/USTA
Dan Evans would not concern working extra time.
Final August, a gritty Evans gained the longest match in US Open historical past, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-7(6), 7-6(2), 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4 in 5 hours and 35 minutes.
The elapsed time eclipsed the earlier document by 9 minutes.
Previous to his 7-5, 6-2 upset of seventh-seeded Frances Tiafoe at Queen’s Membership as we speak, Evans advised BBC gamers must be “cautious moaning about” the crowded tennis schedule stating extra tournaments imply extra job alternatives for gamers.
A number of stars together with Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur and Casper Ruud have all criticized the crammed calendar this season. Evans mentioned stars ought to apply some real-world perspective to the tennis world.
“I feel at the start we’re in a lucky place, after I hear in regards to the schedule [complaints], these guys don’t should play each week. You’re allowed to not play,” Evans advised BBC. “The rationale they play is so that they decide up their bonus pool.
“We’ve received to watch out moaning about [the schedule], we’ve got quite a lot of work which is nice. There’s a number of folks on this planet struggling for work, so we’ve got to watch out harping on in regards to the robust schedule. We’re allowed to take weeks off, we’re unbiased contractors, in order that’s the place I stand on it.”
After his early exit from Roland Garros final month, Ruud hit the “rat race” that’s the ATP Tour with a parting shot saying the hectic schedule, rating factors at play and monetary penalty should you miss a compulsory occasion compel gamers to compete even after they’re injured.
“It is form of like a rat race relating to the rankings, as nicely,” Ruud advised the media in Paris. “In fact, if my leg is damaged, I will not play. However it’s robust anyhow, particularly when there is a time with obligatory occasions to skip them as a result of the punishments are fairly onerous, when it comes to everybody else will play, achieve factors, and you will not.
“Additionally there is a sure bonus system arrange that’s diminished should you do not present as much as the obligatory occasions. It is a questionable system as a result of on one hand you do not need to present up injured, and also you possibly give the spot to different one.
“I am undecided should you’re conscious, however should you do not play a compulsory occasion, they reduce 25% of your year-end bonus. You are form of forcing gamers to indicate up injured or sick, or no matter, when that isn’t what I feel may be very truthful.”
De Minaur, whose streak of 4 consecutive main quarterfinals was snapped at Roland Garros, known as on the ATP to enact a easy answer or face the results: Shorten the season or shorten gamers careers.
“The answer is you shorten it, as a result of what is going on to occur is gamers’ careers are going to get shorter and shorter as a result of they’re simply going to burn out mentally,” de Minaur mentioned. “There’s simply an excessive amount of tennis.”
World No. “Look, there is not any excuse, once more, for as we speak, myself, what occurred as we speak. I would like to have a look at myself within the mirror and discover out the reasonings, as a result of in the end this is not going to vary. It would not appear like it is going to change. I’ve to adapt and ensure it would not occur once more.”
