class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>
Stan Wawrinka (38) doesn’t have to think long when asked what he would change in tennis if it were in his power. The answer follows promptly: “It would be the calendar.” For him, the tournament schedule within a year is a rush: “It’s just too much. The season is too long and too intense.” Wawrinka is bothered by the fact that players have little say in the tennis world, which, like other sports at the highest level, is ruled by money. The professionals should simply function in this construct: play and inspire.
Wawrinka expresses his criticism consciously. He tries to ‘make the best possible use’ of the position he has held over the years. De Romand has been on tour since 2002, he has won the Davis Cup in addition to three Grand Slam tournaments and is a two-time Olympic champion. “Stan the Man” enjoys a good reputation in the tennis bubble, his word carries a lot of weight. When he recently criticized the new format of the Davis Cup, it caused quite a stir.
In Basel he addressed his appeal to the ATP players’ association. He says there should be a longer break in the calendar. He receives support from Alexander Zverev (26), who also expressed his dissatisfaction to Eurosport in Vienna this week: “I have been on tour for ten years now and we have discussed how we can shorten the season. ten years. Only: the opposite happens.” The German is also annoyed by the fact that athletes are seen as robots: “Many top players no longer participate in all Masters because they can’t handle it.”
The trend is indeed clear. The professionals are becoming more and more involved. The Masters 1000 tournaments in Rome, Madrid and Shanghai have been expanded. The Australian Open is extended to 15 days. Officially to avoid long night sessions. But it is more likely to generate additional money.
“Fight the cops”
What suffers from constant traveling around the world is clear: it is regeneration. Players become more susceptible to injuries due to fatigue. And yet the temptation to take on all the hardships is great. Boris Becker (55), the new coach of Holger Rune (20), says in the podcast ‘The yellow of the ball’: ‘It is always a battle against the agents. They can of course lure the players by saying: just go to that city and you will get this extra money.”
Six- to seven-figure startup fees are intended to keep the professionals happy – and the brokers making money too. After completing the twelve mandatory tournaments (Grand Slams and eight Masters 1000) it is a fundamental decision: relaxation or money?
This is exactly where Blick tennis expert Heinz Günthardt (64) sees the big dilemma: “The players naturally want to have attractive prize money at the tournaments. But it is imperative that the best in the world actually participate in the events – because without figureheads, donors pay much less. For him it is clear: “There is no ideal solution here. You will never be able to please everyone.”
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
