LONDON — Former Wimbledon finalist and US Open champion Marin Čilić has launched a scathing critique of the ATP Tour, labeling a recent decision to extend the Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid to a 12-day event as "dangerous and crazy" and urging the governing body to prioritize player safety over commercial interests.
The Croatian star, renowned for his powerful serve and one of the most respected voices in the locker room, voiced his concerns following a grueling practice session. His comments come as the ATP continues to expand the format of its biggest tournaments, a move that has drawn increasing criticism from players who feel their physical well-being is being ignored in the pursuit of revenue.
The Madrid Expansion: A Bridge Too Far
The crux of Čilić's frustration lies with the Mutua Madrid Open, which, along with the Italian Open in Rome, has been transformed into a nearly two-week spectacle. This expansion, mirroring the format of Indian Wells and Miami, means the top players receive a first-round bye but are then faced with the prospect of playing seven best-of-three-set matches to win the title, all in the critical lead-up to the clay-court Grand Slam, Roland Garros.
Čilić argues that the packed schedule, particularly on a physically demanding surface like clay, creates an unsustainable burden. "It's a dangerous and crazy decision from the ATP," he stated unequivocally. "We have to talk about it as players... We have to put our foot down and push back on these decisions that are not good for our well-being."
The Domino Effect on Player Health
The 2014 US Open champion elaborated on the specific risks posed by the elongated calendar. The primary concern is the lack of adequate recovery time between matches, which significantly increases the likelihood of injuries. This is not a hypothetical fear; the current season has already been marred by a series of high-profile withdrawals and physical breakdowns among top competitors.
Čilić pointed out the absurdity of the situation, especially for players who go deep in both Madrid and Rome. "If you have a great tournament in Madrid and play six or seven matches, and then you have to go to Rome and do the same... it's impossible to stay healthy. The body simply cannot recover that quickly on clay. The ATP is not thinking about the players; they are only thinking about the money."
The physical toll of back-to-back extended Masters 1000 events creates a dangerous domino effect that can ruin a player's entire season. The risks include:
- Increased rate of stress-related injuries (e.g., stress fractures, tendonitis)
- Muscle fatigue leading to tears and pulls
- Mental burnout and exhaustion before the second Grand Slam of the year
- Compromised performance at Roland Garros due to accumulated fatigue
A Growing Chorus of Player Dissent
Čilić is far from alone in his criticism. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has frequently called for a better-structured calendar that respects athlete longevity. Other players, including Daniil Medvedev, have complained about the brutal nature of the schedule, particularly the quick transition from hard courts to clay. The Madrid decision appears to be the tipping point that has galvanized the Player Council, of which Čilić is a member, to take a firmer stance.
The players' core argument is that the ATP, which is jointly owned by the tournaments and the players themselves, has become imbalanced, with the commercial interests of the event promoters often trumping the health and safety of the competitors. "There is a disconnect," Čilić lamented. "The decisions are made in boardrooms without a real understanding of what it takes to compete at this level week-in and week-out."
The ATP's Position and the Path Forward
The ATP Tour has defended the expansion, citing increased fan engagement, broader broadcast windows, and enhanced economic benefits for the tournaments and the sport as a whole. They argue that the longer format allows for more matches on center court and provides greater value for sponsors and ticket holders.
However, for veterans like Čilić, this justification rings hollow. He believes a compromise is essential for the survival of the sport's stars. "We are not machines. We love this sport and we want to compete, but we also want to have long careers. The ATP needs to remember that without healthy players, there is no show."
The call to action from a Grand Slam champion and former world No. 3 adds significant weight to the ongoing debate. It signals a potential shift towards more organized player advocacy, pushing the tour to re-evaluate its priorities. The hope among players is that the ATP will engage in meaningful dialogue to create a schedule that is both commercially successful and physically feasible.
Conclusion: A Plea for Sanity
Marin Čilić's powerful statement is more than just a complaint; it is a plea for sanity from a seasoned athlete who has seen the game's physical demands escalate exponentially. His use of words like "dangerous" and "crazy" is a deliberate attempt to shock the ATP leadership into action.
As the tennis calendar continues to grow, the sport finds itself at a crossroads. It can choose to prioritize short-term financial gains at the expense of its athletes' health, or it can work collaboratively with players to design a sustainable future. Čilić’s message is clear: the current path is untenable. "It's time for the ATP to act in the interests of player safety," he concluded, "before it's too late and we see more careers ended prematurely by injury."