ATP Chief Gaudenzi Admits Tour Calendar Needs Longer Offseason

Professional tennis players require approximately eight weeks of rest before beginning their training for a new season, according to ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

Speaking on the “Served” podcast hosted by former world No. 1 Andy Roddick, Gaudenzi acknowledged that the current gap between the ATP Finals and the start of the following year is insufficient for the physical demands of the tour.

Roddick has suggested that the ATP Finals should ideally conclude in October, allowing for a restructured calendar that could accommodate smaller 250-level tournaments later in the year.

Gaudenzi said that while he agrees with the need for extended recovery time, the ATP does not dictate the schedule in isolation. The organization must coordinate with the four Grand Slam tournaments and the International Tennis Federation, which oversees the Davis Cup, to finalize a cohesive annual plan.

“The players would need about eight weeks of rest before they start training again,” Gaudenzi said during the podcast.

Beyond the logistical coordination between governing bodies, Gaudenzi highlighted the independent nature of professional tennis players. Because players operate as independent contractors, they maintain the autonomy to determine their own tournament schedules throughout the season.

Gaudenzi pointed out a fundamental disparity between the top-ranked players and those further down the rankings. While the world’s elite can afford to prioritize major tournaments and manage their schedules for long-term health, lower-ranked players often rely on competing in smaller events to secure their livelihoods.

Economic necessity frequently forces those players to maintain a travel and competition schedule more demanding than that of the top players on the tour.

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