Tennis is currently going through a unique and unprecedented phase, with highly profitable events taking place outside of the official ATP calendar. One such event is the upcoming Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which boasts an extraordinary lineup including Novak Djokovic, Carlitos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune, and Rafael Nadal.
In a recent interview with the Tennis Majors website, Alexander Bublik emphasized the need for change in tennis. He specifically addressed Saudi Arabia’s entry into the sport and the potential it holds. Bublik, who won the ATP 250 tournament in Montpellier last week, is currently participating in the UTS Tour in Oslo, Norway. This exhibition series features unique rules and will continue throughout the year.
The vast resources available to the Saudis have caught the attention of many tennis players, including Bublik. He believes that it is time for significant changes, as the prize money has remained stagnant for the past 15 years. A mere 2% increase is not enough to satisfy the players. Bublik stresses the importance of implementing crucial changes to the tennis calendar, considering the demanding nature of the sport.
Tennis players deserve to be well-treated, well-compensated, and have a more balanced schedule. Playing for 11 months straight without sufficient breaks is incredibly challenging. Bublik argues that a better quality of life for players is necessary to maintain their physical and mental well-being.
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org