"I think it makes sense" - Patrick Mouratoglou on ATP Masters events being prolonged to two weeks

Although several members of the tennis community have voiced their opposition to the ATP increasing the length of Masters 1000 events to two weeks, renown coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes there is more to the matter that meets the eye.

ATP Masters tournaments have traditionally been played over a single week, with two-week events saved exclusively for Grand Slams. However, there has been talk regarding converting the duration of ATP Masters 1000 events to two weeks, which has drawn mostly negative responses from players.

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Both sides have a valid point, says Mouratoglou

The extended Maters 1000 events will see players on-site at venues for over two weeks, restricting their time for practice as they tend to be in tournament mode. Former World No.1 Andy Roddick and Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas have spoken out against the decision, claiming it would lead to more injuries and less recovery time.

However, Mouratoglou has a different perspective. The French coach suggested finances are at the heart of the decision, a factor that most fans and even some players do not consider.

"The longer Masters tournament work because they make much more money, so it’s good for them,” said Mouratoglou. “I think if I understand what the ATP wants to do, they want to have fewer events, but bigger events that draw more attention. I think it makes sense, to be honest.
"That is difficult for the people who have smaller tournaments, the tournament directors and I understand that, and I understand their frustration, but it’s always the same. It depends on the way you look at it
"If you look at the interest of players, you have one point of view. If you look at the interest of the bigger tournaments and the global business of tennis, you have a different angle.
“If you look at the fans, we have another angle. We look only at the fans when we look at our UTS events. That’s all our purpose. UTS have been created only for the fans and only to give them the best possible entertainment.
"I think that the ATP for them is difficult because they have a lot, inside the ATP, a lot of different interests, and the tournament directors, you have the players, and all have a big voice. So to make these decisions is not easy, because you need to please everyone. And at the end of the day, the fans might not be heard because they are not represented."

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