Archive of posts tagged Masters tournament

Alexander Zverev sounds off on two-week Masters format, calls out ATP bosses

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Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev reveals he is not a fan of two-week Masters tournaments and suggests the ATP made the schedule harder for players instead of making it easier after repeated calls to make changes to what many think is a pretty crowded calendar.

In the past, Indian Wells and Miami were the only Masters tournaments longer than a week. In recent years, several other tournaments from the 1000-category became a 10-day or 12-day events, with Monte Carlo and Paris remaining as the only tournaments from the category that take a week to finish. 

Zverev, who turned 28 in April and has been around for long enough to know the difference between the past and the new format, doesn't think the idea is great at all. 

Zverev: I think all the players loved the old Masters format…

During his appearance on the Nothing Major Show, the German tennis star noted that Masters tournaments are mandatory and that seven of the nine tournaments from the category last for more than a week. Then, the three-time Grand Slam finalist declared Monte Carlo and Paris as "the best two weeks on the ATP Tour."

“I mean, I won it, which was even more awesome for me, but you get there, you play your five matches, and you get out of there. You do not have to stick around or practice in between matches. That is how Masters events used to be and I think all the players loved it. Now the ATP has made four mandatory 500 events for you to play, which used to be three, now it’s four. So you don’t get under 20 events except if you are pulling out of the big events," Zverev added.

To Zverev's defense, some of his colleagues have also spoken out against the new format, arguing that there is no need for a Masters tournament to take longer than a week and that it only makes the calendar harder. But on the other side, some also defended the new format, arguing that a usual day off between matches helps a lot to regenerate for the next match. 

Meanwhile, Zverev is playing at the ongoing 1000-level event in Toronto, where he is due to meet Francisco Cerundolo in the round-of-16.

Frances Tiafoe rips unconventional Toronto Masters final date as 'garbage'

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Canada

Frances Tiafoe straight up ripped the new Toronto Masters final date as "weird" and "garbage."

On Sunday, which was July 27th, the main action officially started at the Canadian Masters tournament. This year, 96 players entered the main draw for the event slated to last 12 days. In the past, the the Canadian tournament was a seven-day event, featuring 56 players. 

While the first thing that stands out is the fact that the Canadian Open expanded, one of the very interesting things about this year's Toronto event is its final date – August 7th, Thursday. 

Tiafoe, who is making his seventh appearance at the Canadian Masters this year, was asked about the format change. And while he is excited about being in Toronto, he admitted to being a but stunned by some of the changes implemented by the tournament.

Tiafoe on the Canadian Masters final date: That's garbage…

"It is what it is. I like that it’s a bit shorter than Madrid, Rome. Weird because the final is on a Thursday. That’s garbage. But, I mean, I think it’s going to be great. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I love the city of Toronto. My girlfriend’s from there. Then I’ve got a lot of friends in the league from there, so I’m going to be set up, have a good time," the American tennis star said.

In the past, Tiafoe played three times in Toronto and three times in Montreal. So far, the 27-year-old has had more success in the Ontario region, reaching the round-of-16 twice when the Canadian Masters was taking place in that particular. In Montreal, the American has never made it past the second round.

This year, Tiafoe is seeded at No. 7 and has a first-round bye. Then, he will the winner of the match between Daniel Altmaier and Yosuke Watanuki. 

Since Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are all skipping Canada this year, there could be Tiafoe's chance to possibly make a run and play that final next Thursday.