By Matt Hill
Before we get into this rant about how terrible this tournament was, we must congratulate
Andrey Rublev on his 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 triumph over Felix Auger Aliassime to win the Mutua
Madrid Open.
Rublev was solid all week and even though he did defeat a less than 100 percent Carlos Alcaraz
in the quarterfinals, it was still one of the biggest wins of his career. He also defeated a very solid
Taylor Fritz in the semifinals.
Now for the rant. There were so many withdrawals or retirements in this tournament, including
Jannik Sinner, Danil Medvedev and Jiri Lehecka just to name a few.
Alcaraz came into the tournament injured and now he, Sinner and Lehecka have all pulled out of
Rome with a Medvedev decision coming at any time.
Also, Auger Aliassime was the beneficiary of three withdrawals or walkovers to reach the final.
In his defense, he defeated two-time Roland Garros semifinalist Casper Ruud in the
quarterfinals, so he did earn his stripes.
Why is this happening? I think there are a few things to look at.
I think mostly the schedule is just so off-kilter. Why are we playing two two-week Masters 1000
right before Roland Garros. I counted the other that starting with Madrid, there will be either a
Masters or a slam six out of seven weeks. It is too much tennis in what is a very physical game.
You could make the argument that these are two-week Masters and there is usually a day off in-
between, but this format does really mess with your preparation. The old format of two Masters
1000s, a week off for most players and then Roland Garros seemed to work.
In the last two months counting this week’s tournament, we have had five Masters 1000
tournaments. Sinner has been there at the end in almost all and I think that led to his injury.
I love Masters 1000s, but we don’t need to dilute the four biggest events in our game when
casuals are watching. This year there are going to be five meaning this summer coming up you
are going to have Roland Garros (Late May-June), Wimbledon (Late June-Early July), The Paris
Olympics (Late July-Early August) and the US Open (Late August-Early September). Not to
mention Canada, Cincinnati and Wimbledon and Olympic tune-ups.
The Olympics can’t be helped, but something must be done about the scheduling. I don’t want to
take tournaments away from anyone, but something is going to have to be done.
In the summer, Atlanta and Newport have already been removed for next year because of the
two-week Masters events. I know there have been a couple of changes in Europe as well. There
must be a way.
I think the place to start might be the Post Aussie Open to Pre-Indian Wells slate. There is no
Masters 1000 during that time but a lot of 250 and 500 events. I think it is time to get rid of the
mandatory 500 events which you have to play four if you are a top player. I feel for these
tournaments, but the players need to be protected.
The game is just too physical to have these men (and women) playing every week. It is not good
for their health and could have lifelong effects. The ATP probably won’t read this article, but I
know the seeds are being planted as I write.
