Debate on Tour Calender Masks Real Problems

Is the tour schedule the real problem?

The constant complaining by top players about the length and physical demands of the season defies logic. Virtually every top player, man and woman, now currently plays more than the required minimum events, even including the Williams sisters.

But beyond the calendar itself there are a whole range of issues that must be considered in any logical discussion of tour injuries. These include the significant differences between the ATP and WTA tours and the differences between the elite, marquee players and the majority of other professionals.

Injuries

While there is no question that pro tennis sustains too many significant injuries to its top players, the schedule cannot be solely blamed for the occurrence, not when every player has been competing and practicing week in and week out since they were children on a variety of surfaces, and learned to play in literally hundreds of different conditions and environments.

The real issue may be total court time – including the amount and type of practice – and how that affects the individual player. No respectable trainer will tell you that every player shares the same body type, so there really is no one perfect…