10/15/2026 09:56:00
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10/15 09:54 CDT ATP Tour proposes rule changes designed to reduce overplaying
after injuries to Alcaraz and Sinner
ATP Tour proposes rule changes designed to reduce overplaying after injuries to
Alcaraz and Sinner
By ANDREW DAMPF
AP Sports Writer
With tennis stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner missing long stretches
this year due to injury, the ATP Tour is proposing rule changes it says will
"reduce the pressure to overplay and help players manage the demands of the
season."
Alcaraz sat out 4 months and missed two Grand Slams with a right wrist injury
between April and August.
The top-ranked Sinner hasn't played since he won Wimbledon in July and
announced last week that he would sit out the rest of the year due to
inflammation in his right knee.
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi on Thursday outlined a plan whereby ranking points
would be redistributed to award more to players reaching the latter stages of
bigger events.
A policy that enables players to replace three weaker results from Masters 1000
events each year with better results from 500-level or 250-level events later
in the season would be eliminated.
"That can create pressure to add tournaments after an early loss to make up the
points," Gaudenzi said. "The proposals would remove this, so results at the
biggest events count in full and players can plan their schedules around them
rather than chasing points and risking overplaying."
The proposals come while the ATP is preparing to introduce a new Masters 1000
event in Saudi Arabia that would raise the annual number of tournaments at that
level to 10.
Player compensation would also rise with an increased year-end bonus pool going
from $21.5 million to $50 million. And there would be a year-end bonus for
players finishing in the top 250 of the rankings that would provide $25 million
in career support.
Furthermore, there would be an annual player pension contribution of
approximately $30 million, enhancing pension and retirement benefits for 300
players each year.
News that the men's tour wants to reduce prize money and tournament sizes for
doubles starting in 2028 came out earlier this year.
"Any prize money reallocated from doubles would remain dedicated to player
compensation and is expected to be reinvested into singles qualifying and
early-round prize money, helping more players invest in their careers and
compete with the world's best players," Gaudenzi said in an open letter
published on the ATP website.
"Together, these proposals are intended to give players a clearer framework for
planning their seasons, reward performance at the tour's biggest events and
extend support to more players."
The proposals remain subject to further consultation and approval.
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