Russia's Daniil Medvedev revels in his victory over Australia's Alex De Minaur in the group stage. — Reuters
World number four Daniil Medvedev advocates for a reimagined ATP Tour calendar, emphasizing the Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events, with ATP 250 tournaments potentially moved to a later, optional slot in the year. Numerous players have expressed discontent with the current schedule, including four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, who finds the packed itinerary challenging for maintaining motivation and heightening injury risks. Starting next season, seven of the nine ATP Masters 1000 events will span 12 days, a move that drew criticism from Stefanos Tsitsipas last week.
"This year, I focused solely on major tournaments," Medvedev shared with reporters following his triumph over Alex De Minaur at the ATP Finals on Tuesday. "I believe there should be more significant, pivotal tournaments, which should serve as benchmarks for determining who will rank in the top 10, such as Masters 1000. Perform well in these, and you'll secure your place. The schedule should revolve around these key events." Reuters has sought comment from the ATP Tour regarding this proposal. Medvedev further suggested that the premier tournaments should commence earlier in the year, stating, "Then, you can place all the 250s afterward for those who wish to continue playing. If you're skilled enough, you conclude the season in October, participating in Masters. It doesn't matter. Don't include the tournaments held after. If you still feel the need for more points for the Australian Open or additional matches, you can engage in them afterward."
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