{"id":295760,"date":"2023-11-07T18:09:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T18:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=295760"},"modified":"2023-11-07T18:09:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T18:09:32","slug":"tennis-stars-face-tough-call-as-huge-saudi-tournament-given-awkward-date","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/tennis\/tennis-stars-face-tough-call-as-huge-saudi-tournament-given-awkward-date\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennis stars face tough call as huge Saudi tournament given awkward date"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chinese tennis star Wu Yibing on his journey to ATP Tour<\/h3>\n

The Saudi Arabia Masters is set to start just a week before the Australian Open in a radical change to tennis’ schedule. The\u00a0proposed 1000-level tournament has been touted for the 2025 season following\u00a0discussions with the ATP Tour, and\u00a0will undoubtedly\u00a0add more fuel to the fire surrounding tennis’ packed schedule.<\/p>\n

The new tournament would be the first big event of the 2025 season. Traditionally that honor has been given to the Australian Open which starts in January and sees the sport’s biggest names take part after a winter break.<\/p>\n

The tournament is one of four Grand Slam events – alongside the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open – but would be usurped by the newly proposed Masters event. Adding a further complication, it is set to be\u00a0held just a week ahead of the Grand Slam – according to a report from\u00a0The Times.<\/p>\n

The tournament will be tennis’ tenth Masters event and would add to an already packed schedule. It also raises questions regarding how players would fare having two major competitions so close together after an extended break, with players fearing they will lose out if they don’t play.<\/p>\n

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Tennis’ busy schedule already sees players compete in numerous events throughout the season in order to claim points. The points go towards a player’s ATP Rankings, determining which player is performing the best to claim the prestigious World No. 1 ranking.<\/p>\n

In recent seasons both players and pundits have bemoaned the sport’s hectic schedule which already includes\u00a0nine 1000-level Masters tournaments – with the\u00a0proposed Saudi Masters adding a tenth.<\/p>\n

Earlier in the year, current World No. 1\u00a0Iga Switek was forced to\u00a0withdraw from October’s Billie Jean King Cup and cited that her packed schedule is to blame.<\/p>\n