In Saudi Arabia, the “Six Kings Slam” show tournament offers the six top professionals unprecedented income. But how does participation fit in with the loud complaints about the tournament schedule being too tight?
The offer is so attractive that the additional effort is readily accepted. After all, the “Six Kings Slam” (October 16th to 19th) is about a lot of money. The entry bonus for each individual participant alone is $1.5 million. The winner also receives a dizzying prize of six million US dollars.
So it’s no wonder that the industry’s top stars, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz jetted to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a few days to take part in this most lucrative tennis exhibition match of all time.
Alcaraz complains
But is it really that obvious? Last but not least, tennis professionals have been complaining for a long time about the constant stress caused by too many tournaments and too many matches, which are further increased by travel and the constant time changes.
“I’m one of those players for whom there are too many compulsory tournaments a year. And there will probably be even more in the next few years. That will kill us,” young star Alcaraz complained in September. And he is far from alone.
Clear specifications from the ATP
The ATP’s requirements are clear: the players in the top 50 are obliged to take part in twelve tournaments. At eight in the 1000 Masters series and at the four Grand Slams (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) – if this is not prevented by an injury. Anyone who doesn’t do this gets zero points for the world rankings.
In addition, the professionals must play at least six additional tournaments of their own free choice so that they have taken part in at least a total of 18 competitions in a year in order to receive points in the world rankings. All participation beyond this is voluntary and is up to each player.
Stress higher than that of professional footballers
The players’ criticism didn’t take long to arrive. “If someone complains about the great strain and then plays a show tournament, then that’s a bit strange,” DTB President Dietloff von Arnim remarked recently.
And the former top German professional Philipp Kohlschreiber also has his own opinion on this topic – also with a view to the enormous earning potential: “Many players would also like to go there. But then you can’t complain.”
“Basically, the tennis season is very long because it is a year-round season,” says Philipp Born from the German Sport University Cologne to Sportschau. “There is no other season in other sports that is this long.” And compared to the popular sport of football, for example, “the strain on tennis professionals is significantly higher,” says the sports scientist. If a player is in the top 100, he has very few breaks.
Load control like Federer and Nadal
For long-time German professional coach Jan de Witt, the public criticism appears to be entirely justified, but he points to a detailed approach.
“Everyone who has to deal with this should look at how Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer did it in their time. It’s always about balance in what we do,” says the 59-year-old, who, among other things, The Frenchman Gael Monfils and Andrea Petkovic trained the sports show.
De Witt also points out the correct division of the entire tennis year for each player. “The load control has to be timed so that it makes sense. Then you can also take part in a show tournament.”
Basically, de Witt is of the opinion: “What works is to play 20 to 25 tournaments in a year. But what no longer works is to play 30 or more tournaments. At some point Roger only played 18 to 19 tournaments,” says de Witt. “Then it’s about the overall burden on each individual. But everyone has to find that out for themselves.”
Show tournaments are for relaxation
The experienced coach sees another important aspect in a show tournament like the Laver Cup or this “Six Kings Slam”.
“Such a show tournament is much less emotionally stressful for the players. They simply don’t have any stress. But the show that is put on is still good. 90 percent of the spectators probably won’t even notice that the players aren’t taking part seriously the matter,” says de Witt.
Rather, the professionals use the abundant time aside from their games for training and recovery sessions. “It’s like a vacation week for the players or a very well-paid training week.”
2024-10-15 09:10:00