'It's not like football or basketball' - ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi addresses the controversial criticisms on calendar demands

Many players have raised their concerns regarding mental health and expressed their grievances about certain decisions by the ATP that impact their health. This became a major topic of discussion in 2024. Those who voiced serious opposition to the frequent ball changes throughout the season include Daniel Medvedev and Alexander Zverev. Injuries may be a result of the surface differences and the ongoing modification.

In order to avoid injury, tennis players have requested over and over again that the ATP should standardize the kind of balls that are to be used all year long.  an interview with L'Equipe, ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi made sure that the concerns were being heardIn. It is likely a time taking process which would eventually be executed. 

"It's not like basketball or football, where a club contracts them. Since they are self-employed, our players are free to choose their own hours. Yes, they are required to participate by the rankings, but their participation primarily hinges on the major events, such as the ATP Finals, Masters 1000, and Grand Slams. We made the decision to make the Masters 1000 stronger, but if you make it to the final, you will only have to play one extra match than in the old format," said Andrea Gaudenzi.

However, the Italian also spoke about the hectic and demanding schedule, which was another popular issue in 2024. Players are forced to compete in the most significant tournaments due to the nearly limitless amount of tournaments they must contend with at the start of the year. Many people lament the limited amount of time they have for rest and recuperation because of this. Gaudenzi, however, stressed that each athlete has the freedom to select which tournaments to participate in and, more importantly, sends a message to those who schedule exhibitions.

Others sports do not exhibit this - Andrea Gaudenzi

"Additionally, some athletes decide to take part in numerous exhibitions outside of the tour. Other sports do not exhibit this. Whether you want to invest in the tour or not is the question. Cut the season short? Yes, but you also need to cut back on the number of ATP 250 events. Players also have the option to rest more and participate in fewer exhibitions."

Gaudenzi also used the occasion to push for cooperation between the many bodies that oversee world tennis in order to streamline the sport's operations.