Daniil Medvedev is calling for a significant restructuring of the ATP tennis calendar, suggesting that only Grand Slams and Masters 1000 tournaments should award ranking points. Medvedev believes this change would alleviate the immense pressure on players currently enduring an 11-month schedule.
Top players are currently obligated to participate in the four majors and eight Masters events. While the ATP plans to reduce the number of counting tournaments from 19 to 18 in 2026 by removing an ATP 500 commitment, Medvedev argues this doesn't go far enough.
He stated that removing points from smaller events would make the tour shorter and ease player burdens. However, Medvedev acknowledges the financial complexities, noting that tournament organizers would resist losing revenue and the ATP may not be able to compensate them.
Medvedev cited the example of Holger Rune, who suffered an Achilles rupture at an ATP 250 event, as an illustration of players pushing their limits to secure spots in prestigious events like the ATP Finals. He believes that if smaller tournaments didn't offer ranking points, the decision to play them would be far easier for athletes.