Holger Rune rightly asked at the Shanghai Masters, “Do you want a player to die on court?” after enduring extreme conditions in China, where temperatures soared up to 34°C. Days later, the Dane was seen struggling again in Nordic, forced to retire midway after injuring his Achilles tendon while reaching for a shot. But Rune isn’t the only one suffering under the grueling ATP schedule. Even stars like Carlos Alcaraz have spoken out strongly in recent weeks. Now, American ace Taylor Fritz has joined the debate, responding to backlash against his stance on the demanding calendar.

On October 19, British ATP pro Jack Draper shared a post expressing his frustration and disappointment toward the ATP. He was forced to end his season due to recurring injuries after playing back-to-back events. “Injuries are going to happen… we are pushing our bodies to do things they aren’t supposed to in elite sport,” he wrote, before adding, “the tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are gonna achieve some sort of longevity….”

Taylor Fritz responded in agreement, emphasizing that there are “more injuries and burnout now than ever before because balls, courts, [and] conditions have slowed down a lot, making the weekly grind even more physically demanding and tough on the body.” However, his remarks drew criticism from fans, particularly over his complaints about court conditions and fatigue. Defending his position, Fritz pointed out that even “Carlos (Alcaraz) and several other top players have been pretty vocal about the season being too long.”

When fans argued that he could simply choose which events to play, Fritz clarified, “The only thing I’m trying to say is that the fatigue, stress, and overall time commitment of these events is nowhere near the same as playing a tour event. All that being said, I still am turning down several Exo events that would pay well because there are times I desperately need the rest.”

Another user mocked Fritz, claiming his tennis-playing parents gave him an advantage and suggesting he should focus on improving instead of complaining. Taylor Fritz replied firmly, “The schedule is longer than it used to be and the conditions slowing has made the game more physical, anyone who has been around will tell you that,” before adding, “if you wanna discredit my entire career because I had parents that played tennis and had a very fortunate upbringing then go for it.”

Some critics argued that Fritz’s frustration stemmed from failing to win a Slam this season. He countered that claim, writing, “I am having the most successful years of my career in the current conditions.” Indeed, in 2025, Fritz made deep runs across multiple tournaments, clinching back-to-back grass titles in June, reaching the Wimbledon semifinals, the Toronto semifinals, and the US Open quarterfinals. He also reached the Japan Open final last month. “That’s why you should understand there is no bias when I am simply stating what you are also stating—balls and court conditions are slower and that is contributing to more injuries. That is all, that is my entire point.”

It seems more players are now speaking candidly about the schedule. And it’s not just Rune, Fritz, Alcaraz, or Draper voicing their concerns – several WTA stars have echoed similar sentiments. One of them is six-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

Iga Swiatek slammed the hectic tennis schedule before Taylor Fritz, Alcaraz, Rune, and Draper

Polish star Iga Swiatek has been vocal for years about the sport’s relentless calendar, often advocating for change on behalf of players.

Back in 2023, the current World No. 2 stated, “As players, we are unhappy with the calendar for next year and how the number of mandatory tournaments and withdrawal restrictions has increased.” She emphasized the need for “more balance and time to get home.” Swiatek also criticized the WTA for excluding players from key decisions, saying, “Only a handful of players knew about the calendar reform and the WTA cannot lead to such a situation again. Since it considers itself an organization created for female tennis players.”

Then last season, during the Cincinnati Open, she reiterated her stance: “I think we have too many tournaments in the season. It’s not going to end well. It makes tennis less fun for us.”

And this year, Swiatek has once again voiced her frustration, particularly about the disorganized nature of the tour that leaves players fatigued. During the China Open last month, she admitted, “Obviously the season is long. The second part of it, I think people are more fatigued.”

As more top players across both tours express concern, one question looms large: will the ATP and WTA finally take notice of this growing unrest —and find a lasting solution to the chaos?