TORONTO — Spanish tennis star Alejandro Davidovich Fokina unleashed a scathing critique of the ATP Tour after his scheduling request for the Canadian Open was denied, leaving the world No. 37 fuming over what he called "a complete lack of respect for players' well-being."
Davidovich Fokina, who reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 Canadian Open, voiced his frustration in a fiery social media post following his second-round exit. The 24-year-old accused tournament organizers of prioritizing television slots over player recovery, claiming his request for a later start time after a grueling three-hour match was rejected without consideration.
Davidovich Fokina's Fiery Statement
In a since-deleted Instagram story, the Spaniard wrote: "This is unacceptable. I played until midnight, asked for a reasonable recovery time, and was told no because TV comes first. The ATP doesn’t care about players—only money. We are not machines. Shame on you." The post included a screenshot of his denied appeal to tournament supervisors.
Davidovich Fokina’s outburst highlights growing tensions between players and the ATP over scheduling, particularly in back-to-back Masters 1000 events. His match against Alexander Zverev ended at 12:45 a.m. local time, and he was scheduled to play again less than 16 hours later.
The Scheduling Controversy
The Canadian Open, like other ATP events, operates under strict broadcast agreements that dictate match timings. However, players have increasingly criticized the tour for failing to adjust schedules despite extreme weather delays or late finishes. Key concerns raised by Davidovich Fokina and others include:
- Insufficient recovery time between matches, especially after midnight finishes
- Prioritizing prime-time TV slots over player health
- Lack of flexibility in rescheduling despite player appeals
An ATP spokesperson responded to the criticism, stating: "While we strive to balance player needs and tournament logistics, broadcast commitments are vital to the sport’s global growth. We review scheduling policies annually to ensure fairness."
Player Reactions
Davidovich Fokina’s complaints resonated with fellow players. Canadian star Denis Shapovalov tweeted support: "Been there. The system is broken. Players shouldn’t have to choose between their health and competing." Others, including Andy Murray, have long advocated for scheduling reforms.
Broader Implications
The incident underscores a recurring debate in tennis: the balance between commercial interests and athlete welfare. The ATP has faced similar backlash at other tournaments, including the 2022 Australian Open, where players endured extreme heat and late-night matches. Critics argue that without change, injuries and burnout will rise.
Davidovich Fokina’s statement concluded with a stark warning: "If the ATP keeps ignoring us, more players will speak out—or walk away. This isn’t sustainable." His remarks come amid ongoing negotiations between the tour and the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) over working conditions.
Conclusion
The ATP now faces mounting pressure to address player concerns. While broadcast revenue remains critical, the tour risks alienating its stars if scheduling policies aren’t revised. As Davidovich Fokina’s outburst shows, frustration is reaching a boiling point—and the tour may soon need to choose between profits and player welfare.
For now, the Spaniard’s words serve as a rallying cry. "We deserve better," he wrote. Whether the ATP listens—or faces further rebellion—remains to be seen.