Holger Rune took a more balanced approach when asked about the demanding tennis calendar, contrasting sharply with recent critiques from players like Alexander Zverev, who blasted the ATP for prioritizing profit over player well-being. Unlike Zverev’s blunt take, Rune acknowledged that while the season is long, the ATP has done well organizing a coherent schedule. “We don’t play in Mexico one week, Germany the next, and Canada the third,” Rune noted, adding that despite the two-week Masters 1000 events being a bit much, the calendar still reflects careful planning.
Rune believes there’s more flexibility than meets the eye. While some top players have complained, others, like Jannik Sinner, emphasize the freedom players have to plan their own schedules. Rune agrees, seeing room for constructive dialogue instead of criticism. Exhibitions, he says, could inspire the ATP without needing to be viewed as competition. “It can be inspiring for the ATP to see what ideas come out of another event,” Rune shared, highlighting that exhibitions offer a relaxed setting where players can try new things without ranking points on the line.
Unlike his high-strung reputation on the court, Rune’s take on the tennis calendar is refreshingly composed. By offering a diplomatic perspective, he signals that the future of tennis could benefit from cooperation, fresh ideas, and perhaps a little less pressure on players to be everywhere, all the time.
