"We can't afford to take breaks": Jordan Thompson criticise ATP schedule after early exit from French Open

Australia’s Jordan Thompson has become the latest player to criticise the tennis schedule. In the recent past, a lot of players, both in men’s and women’s tennis, have questioned the motivation behind extending the previous model of the ATP and WTA 1000 events.

Previously, both events used to be concluded in less than two weeks, whereas now, they are played nearly to the extent of a Grand Slam event. Thompson, who recently took part in the French Open and was knocked out in the first round after losing to Jiri Lehecka in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-2, 6-1, has recently been quoted by nine.com where he questioned the logic behind extending the timeline of ATP and WTA Masters. The 31-year-old stated that the tournament's length makes it hard for players to prepare for the mega-event.

"Unfortunately with the ATP schedule and how shit it is, we can't afford to take breaks because you let other people just have an opportunity to pass you on the rankings and get more prize money and you just feel like you're missing out on an opportunity," he said. "I can't stand the schedule. I hate the two week (Masters) events and I think it's even tougher for Aussies. The last few years I've been away, after every Aussie Open (and) I've come back at probably the start of December because I've got to wait until Davis Cup (is over).

He continued by saying: "I know there are opportunities to go home throughout the year, but it is so far to get back to Australia and I don't see the benefit of going there for less than 10 days, because by the time you acclimatise there, on an island in the middle of nowhere that is a completely different time zone, you've just got to come back and compete again. So I just don't see how that's beneficial for any tennis player. I haven't spoken to a player who likes the two week events. I mean, you are there for an eternity. It feels like a couple of times I've made the doubles final and I've been in the same city for over 17 days, and we're at one tournament. Why is one tournament taking that long to finish? I mean, why do we need a day off for playing? They are three set matches. It should just be like the Paris Masters (which is a) one week event. Why do we need to turn that into a two week event? It's just a waste of time in my opinion and I know a lot of other players feel the same."