The ATP Tour is proposing rule changes that it says will “reduce the pressure to overplay and help players manage the demands of the season.” The proposals come as stars such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have missed long stretches this year due to injury.
Alcaraz sat out 4 1/2 months and missed two Grand Slams with a right wrist injury between April and August. The top-ranked Sinner has not played since he won Wimbledon in July, and he announced last week that he would sit out the rest of the year because of inflammation in his right knee.
Changes to the ranking system
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi outlined a plan on Thursday that would redistribute ranking points to award more to players who reach the later stages of bigger events. The plan would also eliminate a policy that lets players replace three weaker Masters 1000 results each year with better results from 500-level or 250-level events later in the season.
Gaudenzi said that policy creates pressure. “That can create pressure to add tournaments after an early loss to make up the points,” he 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.”
Expanded Masters schedule and player compensation
The proposals come while the ATP prepares to introduce a new Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia, which would raise the annual number of tournaments at that level to 10.
The plan also calls for higher player compensation. The year-end bonus pool would rise from $21.5 million to $50 million. A new year-end bonus would go to players finishing in the top 250 of the rankings, providing $25 million in career support. In addition, an annual player pension contribution of approximately $30 million would enhance pension and retirement benefits for 300 players each year.
Doubles funding
News that the men’s tour wants to reduce prize money and tournament sizes for doubles, starting in 2028, came out earlier this year. Gaudenzi said any prize money reallocated from doubles would stay dedicated to player compensation. He said it is expected to be reinvested into singles qualifying and early-round prize money.
In an open letter published on the ATP website, Gaudenzi wrote: “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.”
He added: “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.