Stefanos Tsitsipas Calls for Change in ATP Tournament Structure

Stefanos Tsitsipas has publicly challenged the ATP’s handling of the Masters 1000 calendar, arguing that players were promised increased prize money when the events were expanded, a promise he believes the tour has failed to keep. The Greek star voiced concerns that longer tournaments are contributing to increased fatigue and injuries, and is demanding a clearer balance between commercial aims and player wellbeing.

“Make Us Work More, But At Least Increase Prize Money”

During an appearance on the What’s the Call podcast, Tsitsipas pressed the ATP for higher compensation tied to the extended Masters 1000 format. He revealed that he was presented with the so-called OneVision plan during a meeting with the ATP chairman, and at the time, the proposals seemed reasonable. Now, however, he feels shortchanged.

“The most frustrating part about this is, okay, you’re making us work more, which is fine. Make us work more, but at least increase prize money,” Tsitsipas stated. He emphasized that the additional days added to the calendar should be met with significant financial adjustments for players, particularly considering the physical strain of a prolonged season.

Tsitsipas’s core argument centers on fairness: if tournaments are lengthened to generate more streaming hours and ticket revenue, the players who are the product should receive a proportionate share of the increased profits. He asserts that there hasn’t been a substantial increase in prize pools or other forms of compensation to reflect the heavier workload.

From OneVision Supporter to Vocal Critic: Schedule and Injury Concerns

Interestingly, Tsitsipas previously appeared in a 2022 video alongside the ATP chairman discussing the OneVision proposals, which included extending seven of the nine Masters events from a seven-day to a twelve-day format. He has since reversed his stance, labeling the wider rollout a “backwards move” and arguing that it has done little to alleviate the congested calendar or improve the overall quality of competition.

He also directly linked the calendar changes to a rise in player retirements and injuries on tour. “It also creates much more fatigue and injury for players, and I don’t think it’s accidental that 2025 was the year with the most retirements on the ATP Tour,” he said, pointing to a season marked by numerous high-profile withdrawals and extended absences. Tsitsipas himself has battled a recurring back problem and framed his critique as a means of protecting players’ long-term careers.

The extension of Masters events was intended to spread out matches, enhance fan engagement, and expand broadcast windows. However, critics argue that the result has been fragmentation and less compact, fan-friendly events in some locations. Supporters maintain that longer formats allow for better scheduling and increased recovery time between matches. Tsitsipas contrasted the adapted Masters approach with tournaments that have maintained a one-week format, which he believes deliver stronger on-court drama and clearer scheduling.

What Happens Next: Pressure for a Reassessment

Tsitsipas’s comments add weight to a growing chorus of players who are calling for the tour to reassess how commercial ambitions align with athlete health and fair compensation. His demand is straightforward: if players are expected to play more days, the financial framework and medical safeguards should be adjusted accordingly.

This critique raises important governance questions for the tour’s leadership regarding promises made during consultations and the mechanisms in place to measure the impact of structural changes. To defend its calendar redesign, the ATP will need to present concrete data demonstrating improvements in competition quality, player welfare, and revenue distribution.

For now, Tsitsipas’s intervention has shifted the debate from logistical concerns about the calendar to issues of compensation and accountability. Whether this will lead to concrete concessions or a formal review remains to be seen, but the issue is unlikely to disappear as long as top players continue to express concerns about injuries and workload on the tour.

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