“We played the Australian Open at Christmas" - No sympathy offered by John McEnroe over schedule complaints

Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 13:00

The tennis schedule continues to be a regular discussion among the current tennis players. Voiced loudest by Carlos Alcaraz in recent times amid his injury problems, seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe has clapped back at these comments as he stated that his generation played much more.

The demanding professional circuit has taken its toll on many players. It is relentless at times, with there seemingly big tournaments around each corner.

In recent times, the extension of Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournaments from one week to almost two has not gone down well with many, with the mandatory events at each level also proving to be a headache for the players as they try and rack up as many points as possible while avoiding injury and fatigue.

It is becoming a harder task for a number of them. The injury issues seem to be going up, with both Alcaraz and, most recently, Jannik Sinner having to endure tumultuous issues that have halted their 2026 campaigns. While Alcaraz is back competing, the World No.1 will not feature until 2027.

“We played more than they play now"

There is little sympathy coming from McEnroe, who looked back on his tennis career and the hardships he had to endure in his time among the elite. Speaking during an event in Madrid organised by the Sanitas Foundation, the American was questioned over the current scheduling.

He did note the physicality in the sport going up another level but admitted that it is still less tennis than they played. “We played more than they play now, let’s be clear about that," he said. "Maybe it’s tougher physically, or maybe they suffer more fatigue, I don’t know.”

Not just that, but the logistical scheduling dilemmas which left them for some very tricky decisions, with sacrifices being made. “We played the Australian Open at Christmas.”

He also outlined the freedom that they get in being able to pick and choose which tournaments they get to compete in with the financial rewards very tempting.

“Today, I get the feeling that players play whatever they want,” the former world No. 1 commented. “Tournaments are about money, there are a thousand competitions and so they earn more money. They add days for you and you earn more money.”

These comments are a complete contradiction compared to what many current tennis players have said. In recent times, that is led by Alcaraz whose wrist injury that kept him out of the sport for over four months has given him a new incentive and outlook on this precarious topic.

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He has stated his motive to skip more events to rest and preserve his body, focusing on the bigger tournaments.

This debacle is set to continue into 2027 and beyond until something is done to satisfy these players. The WTA have made some changes heading into the next campaign, limiting the number of mandatory tournaments for the competitors to compete in.

Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist

Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.

Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.

He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.

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