"I hate players complaining about it": Marcos Baghdatis fires back at stars criticizing the schedule

Former world No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis addressed the constant criticism regarding the Tour calendar, stating that while he agrees it has been "a problem" for some time, he does not appreciate the players' constant complaints. Instead, he recommended they voice their dissatisfaction through the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).

For Baghdatis, the players' complaints are not justified considering they have an association that can handle criticisms regarding the schedule. The Cypriot former tennis player spoke with Tennis 365, asserting that some big stars prefer to air their grievances through the media rather than doing something concrete through the proper channels.

Criticism of the calendar is nothing new and has come from some of the world's best players—including 6-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, two heavyweights on their respective Tours.

“I’m the kind of player who thinks there is a lot of tournaments during the year, mandatory tournaments and probably during the next few years gonna be even more tournaments, more mandatory tournaments,” Alcaraz assured in October of this year prior to his participation in the Paris Masters. “So I mean, probably they are going to kill us in some way. Right now, they are showing up a lot of injuries because of the ball, because of the calendar, because of a lot of things.”

On the other hand, 4-time Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek has also been critical several times of the complications implied by such a loaded tournament schedule. “I think we play too much and the schedule is crazy. I try to divide the year into each part of the season and focus on what’s coming up, otherwise it’s difficult,” she stated. “After a four-week preseason and eight-day vacation, if I look at the end of December and see what awaits me over the next 11 months, it’s overwhelming.”

Recently, Baghdatis gave an interview to specialist outlet Tennis 365, declaring that while he shares the criticism of the hectic schedule, he believes players should focus on finding solutions, not just criticizing in interviews.

“Listen, yes, I really do think it [the schedule] is a problem,” Baghdatis said to Tennis365. “I think that it’s been a while that it’s a problem, but I hate players complaining about it."

“And the reason why I hate when they complain about it is not because they complain, it’s because they have a union, they have an association, they have the PTPA now, that is there and that is fighting for them. Their voice is very strong and they can go to the PTPA and they can talk with them and find ways to make things better.”

“You know, in our days, we didn’t have that association, so we could have complained as much as we wanted — nobody heard us. But right now, they do have it,” the former Wimbledon semifinalist added. “And for me, that’s where I don’t understand the players. They have an association that was created by some of the players, like Novak [Djokovic] and Vasek Pospisil, and they have whatever they need to be able to go and negotiate with the tours and the tournaments.”

“But they don’t do it, they only complain through media and interviews and all that. That’s where I find it a bit strange,” Baghdatis added. “For me, yeah, that’s where, whenever a player complains, I tell them: okay, you can change things, guys. I mean, it’s in your hands. It’s not in the hands of the tours or the tournaments, it’s in your hands. So why don’t you do it?”

A few months ago—around March 2025—the PTPA initiated legal action in the United States District Court in New York, where it demanded fair treatment regarding "anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare," citing issues including the busy schedule and monetary compensation. However, the case remains frozen while it is seeking a jury trial.