Holger Rune Calls for Scheduling Reform Amid Growing Demands on ATP Stars
Holger Rune isn’t mincing words when it comes to the current state of the ATP Tour. The 22-year-old Dane, currently sidelined with a left Achilles tendon injury, is using his time off court to speak out on what he believes are unsustainable demands being placed on the game’s top players - particularly in light of the expanded Masters 1000 format.
Rune, a former world No. 4 and one of the ATP’s rising stars, suffered the Achilles rupture during the Stockholm Open back in October. Surgery followed, and while his recovery is progressing - including a Christmas Day hit session without a protective boot - Rune is clearly thinking about more than just his own comeback. He’s thinking about the long-term health of the sport.
A Grueling Grind for the Game’s Best
The ATP calendar is as packed as ever. In 2026, it includes:
- Four Grand Slams
- Nine ATP Masters 1000 events, seven of which now run 12 days with 96-player draws
- 16 ATP 500 tournaments
- 29 ATP 250 events
- Team competitions like the United Cup, Laver Cup, and Davis Cup
- The Nitto ATP Finals in Italy
- The Next Gen ATP Finals, location TBD
For top-30 players, the commitment is significant: four mandatory ATP 500 events, eight Masters 1000s (Monte Carlo is optional), and all four Grand Slams - not to mention the year-end Finals if they qualify.
That’s 19 events minimum, not including extra tournaments players might use to find form or chase points. And with the expanded Masters format, those 12-day events are becoming a real sticking point.
Rune: "It's Tough - Physically and Mentally"
Speaking candidly, Rune said the changes have turned what used to be manageable, one-week tournaments into marathon slogs.
“You're at a tournament for up to 20 days and it feels like almost a full month,” Rune said. “I personally loved the one-week Masters events, like Monaco or Paris.
You get there, play Tuesday through Sunday, and move on. If you wanted to rest, you could.
If you wanted more matches, you could play a 250 the next week.”
That flexibility, Rune argues, has been lost. And while he acknowledges the financial upside - especially for lower-ranked players who benefit from the larger draws - he believes the system is overlooking the needs of those at the top.
“We forget the 32-48 players at the top of the ranking. For us, it's not optimal.
But I’m sure the ATP will adjust this. They have an interest in the top players being fresh.”
Rune makes a clear distinction between the Grand Slams and the Masters events. The Slams, he says, justify their two-week format with best-of-five matches and built-in rest days. Masters tournaments, on the other hand, don’t require the same length - and extending them may be doing more harm than good.
A Growing Chorus of Concern
Rune isn’t the only one raising the alarm. British No.
1 Jack Draper, who ended his 2025 season early due to a left arm injury, recently posted on social media calling for change in the name of player longevity. American Taylor Fritz chimed in, too, pointing to slower balls, slower courts, and a more physically taxing weekly grind that’s contributing to burnout and injuries across the board.
The concern isn’t just about match fatigue - it’s about the cumulative toll of a season that rarely lets up.
“We don’t want to come and see tired players or injuries occurring in matches because of fatigue,” Rune said. “It’s a balance. I think there needs to be some acceptance of players needing rest.”
More Than Just Scheduling
Rune also took issue with other aspects of the current tour setup - from limited practice time at combined ATP/WTA events to subpar facilities and a lack of financial support for injured players.
“We really want to show our best tennis to the fans,” he said. “And I think we can do this with small adjustments in the planning - like scheduling seeded players in Masters 1000s for week two. That way, we wouldn’t hear as much about too many mandatory tournaments.”
Rune also highlighted the financial structure of tennis, which differs drastically from team sports like football or basketball. There are no guaranteed contracts. If you’re not playing, you’re not earning.
“We only earn money when we play. That’s why I think both the ATP and the players have an interest in small adjustments - to keep as many players as possible fresh and healthy.”
Rune’s Recovery: “Setting New Standards”
While Rune hasn’t set a date for his return, his recovery appears to be ahead of schedule. He’s currently in what he calls “phase three,” walking in regular shoes and preparing to relearn how to jump and run.
“My surgeon said it’s going really, really well,” Rune said. “I’m setting new standards for Achilles rupture recovery in a way.
It’s not because I’m rushing anything. I’m just working on what the specialists are telling me and putting a big, big effort in.”
Rune’s 2025 season ended with a 36-22 record, highlighted by a title run in Barcelona where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final. That kind of form - and his history of deep runs at Masters events - makes his voice all the more important in conversations about the tour’s future.
ATP’s Response: It’s About Growth
The ATP didn’t offer a direct response to Rune’s comments, but they have previously defended the expanded Masters format. Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has pointed to the increased revenue from longer events, which feeds back into the players through profit-sharing.
“These aren’t just cosmetic upgrades,” Gaudenzi said earlier. “The revenue generated flows directly back to players. This is exactly the kind of long-term, structural investment the sport needs.”
He acknowledged the longer on-site time but emphasized the trade-off: more money for players and a stronger tour infrastructure. The ATP has also introduced a new financial security program to support players dealing with injury or underperformance.
“Our goal is to extend the off-season,” Gaudenzi added. “Proper rest benefits everyone - players, fans, and the quality of competition.”
The Road Ahead
Rune’s message is clear: the sport is thriving financially, but the physical and mental toll on players can’t be ignored. With more voices joining the conversation and player health becoming a central issue, the pressure is on the ATP to find a better balance between growth and sustainability.
For now, Rune continues his recovery, aiming to return stronger - and hoping the tour he returns to is one that listens to its players.