Jannik Sinner delivered a dominant performance to sweep past Cameron Norrie in the second round of the Madrid Open on Tuesday, but the world number two used his post-match press conference to renew calls for a revamp of the tennis calendar.
Straight-Sets Victory
The Italian second seed needed just 68 minutes to dispatch the British number one 6-2, 6-3 on the Manolo Santana Stadium court. Sinner broke Norrie three times and faced only one break point, which he saved, to set up a third-round meeting with either Karen Khachanov or Pedro Cachin.
Norrie, who had won his opening match against qualifier Hugo Gaston, was unable to find any rhythm against Sinner's relentless baseline pressure. The 27-year-old Briton committed 22 unforced errors and managed just six winners.
Call for Change
After the match, Sinner, a two-time Grand Slam champion, expressed concern over the increasing demands placed on players by the ATP and WTA tours. He highlighted the lack of an off-season and the mental toll of a nearly year-round schedule.
“It’s not easy for anyone,” Sinner said. “We play almost 11 months a year. There is no real break. I think we need to think about the health of the players, both physically and mentally. The schedule is too long and too intense.”
The 23-year-old added that while he loves competing, the current structure risks burning out top talent. He suggested that the tours consider a shorter season with mandatory rest periods, similar to other professional sports.
Reactions from the Tennis World
Sinner’s comments echo those of other top players, including Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who have previously criticised the packed calendar. The ATP has faced growing pressure to address scheduling concerns, with several high-profile withdrawals from tournaments due to fatigue and injury this season.
Norrie, despite the loss, acknowledged Sinner’s quality and agreed that the schedule needs attention. “He’s playing incredible tennis right now,” Norrie said. “But yeah, it’s tough for everyone. We’re always on the road, and it takes a toll.”
Looking Ahead
Sinner will now prepare for his third-round match, with a potential quarterfinal clash against top seed Carlos Alcaraz looming. However, his focus remains partly on the broader issue of player welfare. “We need to find a solution together,” he said. “The tournaments, the ATP, the players — we all have to sit down and make changes for the future of our sport.”
The Madrid Open continues this week, with Sinner among the favourites to lift the title on clay.
