Andy Roddick slams ‘impossible’ ATP schedule as Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner pay the price during Shanghai Masters

Former World No.1 Andy Roddick has criticized the hectic ATP scheduling after the world’s two best players, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, recently broke down due to injuries. While Alcaraz suffered an ankle injury and decided to opt out of the ongoing Shanghai Masters, Sinner suffered from cramps in his right thigh in the third round clash against Tallon Griekspoor.

The American highlighted that scheduling is getting worse with time, as the players are hardly given any time to recharge their batteries. In the ongoing Shanghai Masters, all the players are struggling due to brutal humid conditions.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, threw up twice during his three-set match against Jaume Munar.

“Sinner obviously paying the bill and Alcaraz were paying the bill for the scheduling,” Roddick said on his podcast (7:53). “It’s impossible to be physically and mentally perfect week in and week out. Those guys can generally win when they are not.

“Something has got to give. This schedule continues to suck, it has sucked. It is only getting worse. Who pays the bill? The fans a lot of the time. The players do for sure. But you have to have a trade off.”

Roddick said the people are wrong when they question the absence of star players, as the schedule is just too sandwiched on the tour.

“People, some people are mad that you know, Alcaraz isn’t playing. Sinner withdrew,” Roddick added. “It’s not on them. Like you can’t do it all the time. January 1st through the end of November for years in a row. You just can’t do it. It’s too much of an ask. Something’s got to give and it’s given this week in Shanghai, no Alcaraz or Sinner.”

After the Shanghai Masters, the Vienna Open will kick off on October 20.