Holger Rune: Tennis has become unnecessarily physical and demanding due to the extended Masters 1000 events | Tennis News
Holger Rune criticized tennis’ moneymakers, calling for “systematic changes” and calling the extended Masters 1000 events unnecessarily ambitious.
Former world No 4 Rune has been out of action since October when he ruptured his left Achilles tendon at the Stockholm Open.
His greatest fear was revealed when it was confirmed that he would need surgery. But Rune has shared a positive update showing signs of recovery, including hitting the tennis court without his protective boot on Christmas Day in Denmark.
Rune’s injury prompted British No 1 Jack Draper, whose 2025 season ended early due to a left arm injury, to write on social media asking for a change to live longer, Taylor Fritz responded: “The facts, and seeing more injuries and burnouts now than before because the balls, the courts, the conditions have decreased so much that the weekly physical grind is even higher.”
There are mandatory requirements for both courses. As things stand there are 19 events that count at ATP level every year (the Nitto ATP Finals counts as an additional event), although it is only mandatory for those players who qualify to compete in the eight Masters 1000 events – Monte Carlo is a popular but non-compulsory event.
Along with the four Grand Slams, the top 30 players must also play at least four ATP 500 events.
The main talking point has been the extension of many events of the ATP Masters 1000, six of which are combined with the WTA to 12 days and the draw of 96 players (ATP Monte Carlo and Paris still draw 56 players), many are happy with the passage of time – including Rune – who feels that everything has changed when the calendar events are added to 100.
The 22-year-old suspect told Sky Sports: “It’s very demanding physically, but also mentally – it’s hard! You’re in the competition for up to 20 days and it feels like almost a full month.
“You’re in a tournament before you go into the next one. I personally liked a one-week Masters event, like Monaco or Paris. You get there, play Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and go into the next one again. If you wanted to skip one week and rest, you can go home and get ready for the next one.
“Or if you feel you played badly and want more games you can play 250 the following week and fix what didn’t work last week.
“I understand why they have two weeks now, and I see the financial benefits for everyone and the benefits for the lower level players. We just forget the top 32-48 players. It’s not good for us but I’m sure the ATP will fix this as they are also interested in the top players being young.
“It’s a good two weeks in Grand Slams because the matches are very demanding, the best five sets, and we start matching on Monday or Tuesday in the first week. So, we need a rest day. But it’s not necessary for the Masters!”
A cash-driven calendar?
The Dane feels that the ATP should try and make ‘small adjustments’
Rune says the tennis calendar is driven by money. “That’s the truth,” he said. “But again, we don’t want to see players who are tired or injured which happens in matches because of fatigue. So, it’s a balance. I think there should be acceptance of players who need to rest.”
The Dane, who rose to fame as a youngster by upsetting Novak Djokovic to take his first Paris Masters title in 2022, has also struggled with a lack of top-quality venues, hours of practice between matches at the joint Masters tournament, and insufficient financial support for injured players.
“We really want to show our best tennis to the fans, and I think we can do this with a little change in the seeding of the Masters 1000 for the second week,” explained Rune. “In this way, I think we will not hear the players talking about many mandatory competitions.
“It’s not like soccer or basketball where you get a yearly salary no matter what happens. We only get paid when we play. That’s why I think both the ATP and the players are interested in a little fix, so we keep as many players as possible young and healthy.”
Setting new standards
Rune is helped off the court following his horrific injury against Ugo Humbert at the Stockholm Open
Rune, who has reached three Masters 1000 finals in his career, has not put a timeline on his comeback but the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist says his range and swing are improving every day.
“Honestly, it feels really good. Really when first, the most important thing is when is my Achilles ready? And second of all, when am I ready as a tennis player? That’s why I can’t put a date when I will come back,” said the current country No 16.
“We are in the third stage, walking with normal shoes. Next will be learning to jump again with the foot and then run after that.
“My surgeon said it’s going really well. I’m setting new standards for Achilles recovery in a way. It’s not that I’m in any rush. I’m just working on what the experts tell me and putting a big, big effort into it, which helps a lot.”
Rune’s 2025 season ended with a 36-22 record, his best result coming in Barcelona, where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the finals.
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Rune withdrew from the Shanghai Masters after suffering severe muscle strain during a clash with eventual champion Valentin Vacherot…
ATP protects the extended format
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has defended the expanded format of the Masters over the summer
The ATP was not willing to respond to Sky Sports on the record in some comments from Rune but explained the changes implemented this year to support the welfare of players and point to a new financial security system for players that provides financial support in case of injury, or malfunction.
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi spoke about the extended Masters 1000 events in the summer, explaining: “This is not just a cosmetic upgrade. The revenue generated by this upgrade flows directly back to the players through our profit sharing model. This is exactly the kind of long-term, systematic investment that the sport needs – and it has become possible thanks to the expanded format.
“The expanded format increases time on site, and that’s a real consideration. But it also opens up the revenue opportunities needed to grow the entire Journey.”
He added: “Our goal at the ATP is to extend the off-season. A well-deserved break benefits everyone—the players, the fans, and the level of competition.”
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