Emma Raducanu has made her feelings on the lengthy tennis schedule clear.
Emma Raducanu has claimed that the lengthy tennis schedule is nothing “to complain about”, despite top players hitting out at the relentless calendar. Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper have been among those voicing concern in recent months, as most Masters 1000 tournaments have been extended to last 12 days, while there are also mandatory 500-point events on the WTA Tour.
British No. 1 Raducanu played 50 matches this year – her most in a single season – and won 28 of them, so she knows that it can be tough to keep grinding it out on the tour. But the 23-year-old wants to set the right example to the future generation of tennis players.
Raducanu said: “Of course, the challenges of the tour, it’s getting longer. The weeks are longer, and I think more tournaments are mandatory, so many tournaments that we have to play are mandatory and longer.
“It’s not just the Masters, it’s also the 500s as well. I think that’s a challenge. I don’t necessarily think it’s something to complain about because it’s what we are given. And we are making a great living as well.
I mean, it’s not all glamorous. There are definitely times when it’s very difficult and we are flagging mentally, physically, everything hurts. But at the same time, what are we going to do about it? I am sure there are certain people who go to work and their bosses make them do something, but they have to do it, it’s their job.”
Last year, world No. 1 Alcaraz claimed that organisers were “going to kill us in some way” when speaking about the congested calendar. British star Draper has repeatedly raised concerns about the lengthy schedule causing burnout and injuries. And Iga Swiatek admitted that she may have to start skipping some tournaments to give herself a proper break
But Raducanu doesn’t want to moan. “If we put up a front that isn’t complaining, I think that is a better example to the people watching, trying to get into tennis, the younger people, if they see all the top players moaning about the calendar, I don’t think that’s necessarily inspiring to look up to,” she added.
