"Are not comparable to ATP events" – Taylor Fritz and Denis Shapovalov defend exhibitions amid Tour schedule debate

Taylor Fritz and Denis Shapovalov join the criticism against the ATP schedule and defend playing exhibitions throughout the season. The Tour schedule has faced scrutiny in recent months, with players like Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, and Alexander Zverev voicing concerns.

Recently, former Australian player John Millman joined the discussion, commenting on X: “There’s always been calls to have a smaller tournament schedule, but it’s a hard sell when in off weeks players chase $$ exhibitions,” said Millman. “Then you factor in those playing on the Future and Challenger Tours, who might need those ‘off weeks’ to play and make the little money they can.”

Taylor Fritz fires back: "Exhibitions shouldn’t be compared to Tour events"

In response to Millman, Fritz argued that playing an exhibition is not comparable to competing in an ATP or WTA tournament: “I agree that it’s tough for the tour to shorten the schedule when players will just play Exos to fill the time, and I’ve seen a lot of people criticizing some of the players asking for a shorter season because they go and play Exos,” Fritz wrote.

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“I don’t understand that part of the argument, because playing an exo vs a tour event aren’t comparable to each other in terms of burnout — physically and especially mentally.”

“A tour event can be 5+ days of playing all out and mentally being dialed in on all things on and off court, VS an exo you show up, have some fun, and entertain for a match or two. You don’t have to push your body fully, and there’s absolutely zero mental fatigue or stress.”

“In a lot of ways, an exo is like a rest week and shouldn’t be compared 1:1 with a tour event. I don’t expect non-players to fully comprehend what I mean by this because it’s tough to judge the mental and physical fatigue that playing tour weeks entails if you’re not part of it, but I would fully expect players to understand what I mean by this.”

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After Fritz’s response, former world No. 33 Millman expressed that complaints about the calendar are “hard to sell” while top players continue to participate in several exhibitions during the season. “Yeah, I agree with this. I have no problem with players looking to play exhibitions, especially given the limited time an athlete has to capitalise on their wealth. I think it’s up to the tour to financially be strong enough where players aren’t incentivised to chase exos.”

“I do think, though, it’s a tough sell optics-wise when the talk is that the season is too long.”

John Millman

@johnhmillman

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There’s always been calls to have a smaller tournament schedule but it’s a hard sell when in off weeks players chase $$ exhibitions. Then you factor in those playing on future and challenger tour, who might need those “off weeks” to play and make the little money they can.

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Taylor Fritz

@Taylor_Fritz97

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Replying to @johnhmillman

I agree that its tough for the tour to shorten the schedule when players will just play Exos to fill the time, and I’ve seen a lot of people criticizing some of the players asking for a shorter season because they go and play Exos. I don’t understand that part of the argument,…

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John Millman

@johnhmillman

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Replying to @Taylor_Fritz97

Yeah I agree with this. I have no problem with players looking to play exhibitions, especially given the limited time an athlete has to capitalise their wealth. I think it’s up to the tour to financially be able strong enough where players aren’t incentivised to chase exo’s.

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Later, former world No. 10 Denis Shapovalov joined the discussion and suggested that if players earned more money from tournaments, they wouldn’t need to play exhibitions: “In my opinion, if players would make decent money during the season, they wouldn’t feel the need to play exhos in off weeks. Instead, players (aside from maybe top 20) only make decent money 4 times a year (slams). So it’s a no-brainer for players to go play exhos for good cash,” the Canadian wrote.

“Agreed. The stronger the tours, the less incentive there is to do exos. I think the goal as a whole is to strengthen the tours (men and women) to the point where more people are making more money and capitalising on their window. I can understand why people play exhos to compensate,” Millman responded.

Denis Shapovalov

@denis_shapo

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Replying to @johnhmillman

In my opinion if players would make decent money during the season they wouldn’t feel the need to play exhos in off weeks. Instead, players (aside from maybe top 20) only make decent money 4 times a year (slams). So it’s a no brainer for players to go play echos for good cash

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John Millman

@johnhmillman

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Replying to @denis_shapo

Agreed. The stronger the tours the less incentive there is to do exos. I think the goal as a whole is to strengthen the tours (men and women) to the point where more people are making more money and capitalising on their window. Can understand why people play exos to compensate.

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