Tsitsipas is among the leading players who have spoken out recently about what they see as increasingly unreasonable demands in scheduling.

Poland’s five-time major champion Iga Swiatek said there are “too many tournaments in the season”, while France’s Caroline Garcia spoke about the mental impact of the “constant grind of tennis” after ending her season early.

Britain’s Jack Draper said he feels the calendar will make it hard for the next generation to achieve “longevity”.

The discussion has been reopened following the conclusion of the ATP event in Paris, which is one of the remaining week-long Masters.

“If the goal was to ease the calendar, extending every 1,000 to two weeks is a backwards move,” Tsitsipas said.

“Sometimes it feels like they’re fixing what wasn’t broken.”

ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has said the expansion of the 1,000 events has increased financial opportunities for more players and enhanced recovery time.

“We recognise the concerns raised by some top players that longer events can introduce an element of fatigue or burnout related to being away from home for extended periods,” he said in a statement to BBC Sport last month.

“However, players ultimately have the autonomy to craft their own schedules based on their priorities – a freedom that comes with being independent contractors, unlike many other sports where players are bound by fixed schedules.”

If some reports coming from Saudi Arabia are to be trusted, Cristiano Ronaldo can become Neymar Jr’s replacement at Saudi powerhouse Al-Hilal. What makes the switch shocking is the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo is currently representing Al Hilal’s arch-rivals in the Saudi Pro League Al-Nassr FC.

Neymar’s Al-Hilal career

Brazilian attacker Neymar’s Saudi journey never really took off due to injury concerns. Another hamstring injury has ruled him out for at least another month — just two weeks after returning after a year-long absence due to a knee injury. On Monday, Neymar was replaced just 29 minutes after his introduction from the bench in the 3-0 win over Iran’s Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League Elite.

“The scans revealed that Neymar Jr. has suffered a tear in his Hamstring… e will undergo a treatment and rehabilitation program that will last from four to six weeks,” Al-Hilal posted on X.

Neymar has played only seven games for Al-Hilal since moving from Paris St Germain for a reported fee of around 90 million euros ($98 million) in August last year. 

Fed up with his constant fitness issues, Al Hilal wants to initiate talks on terminating his agreement which keeps him in Saudi till 2025, reports said.

Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, was among the first European top-tier players to reach Saudi in the second decade of the century. Shortly after Ronaldo arrived at Al-Nassr from Manchester United in 2022, several others, including some in their prime, followed suit. The list includes Jordan Henderson, Ruben Neves, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Roberto Firmino.

Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Hilal?

Once Neymar leaves, Al-Hilal will set out to find his replacement and they have no problem roping in Cristiano Ronaldo. Unlike Neymar, 39-year-old Ronaldo has been successful in the Middle Eastern country since his arrival and they feel it would be ideal if they can land his signature in the January tranfer window, SportBible said in a report. CR7 is contracted until 2025 by their rivals and Al-Hilal are open to offering him a fresh contract even after his current one expires, the report added.

After initial glory, Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr has struggled to compete with Al-Hilal who landed the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Europe. Ronaldo has hinted at ending his career in Saudi in two or three years and a potential switch to Saudi may help him bolster his unparalleled trophy cabinet with more bounties including the AFC Champions League Elite.

AMAD DIALLO sent the message that he should be in the starting XI loud and clear to Ruud van Nistelrooy and incoming boss Ruben Amorim.

The 22-year-old was a bright spark in an otherwise largely laboured performance from Manchester United as they beat PAOK 2-0.

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United started slowly in the Europa League tie before managing to squeeze out a first win in European competition for over a year.

It was a low-key first half at Old Trafford.

But after the break Amad made the difference for the Red Devils as his lopping header across the box ended up finding the far side of the goal net, before he won the ball back high and curled a shot into the same corner.

Here’s how SunSport’s Phil Thomas rated the United players on Van Nistelrooy’s penultimate game as interim manager.

ANDRE ONANA – 6

One great tipover to keep out a Camara half-volley.

But any other stops were pretty routine.

NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6

Another solid, if unspectacular, display.

An increasingly dependable presence by the week.  

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VICTOR LINDELOF – 6

Flat-footed once in the first half, but rarely flustered thereafter.

Started a few attacks as well.

JONNY EVANS – 6

Wise old head at the back.

But lucky to get away with going AWOL for one second half chance.

DIOGO DALOT – 4

5

Usually reliable, but shoddy with so much of what he did, and his delivery wasn’t great either. 

Surprising he wasn’t hooked earlier.

CASEMIRO – 6

Starting point for most of what United did going forward.

Although that wasn’t a great deal to be honest.

MANUEL UGARTE – 5

Still far from the midfield general United hoped.

Distribution disappointing too. No shock when subbed off.

AMAD – 8 (STAR MAN)

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Livewire runs, impressive closing down, the crucial opening goal…and a stunning second.

United’s best player by some distance.

BRUNO FERNANDES – 7

Knocked some marvellous passes, always looking to create.

At least someone was!

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6

Close with one header and a couple of decent runs, but all in all a quiet night.

Hooked.

RASMUS HOJLUND – 5

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One early header aside, little to work with apart from chasing hopeful balls.

No clear sights of goal, either.

SUBS

Rashford (for Garnacho 64) 6

Eriksen (for Ugarte 64) 6

Martinez (for Dalot 64)  6

Mount (for Amad 81) 6

Zirkzee (for Hojlund 90) N/A

Part of Thompson’s remit was trying to keep young Wallaby prospects in the XV-player game.

Ultimately, in Suaalii’s case, it proved impossible.

Suaalii was on the books of South Sydney Rabbitohs before switching to the Roosters, where he made the NRL’s team of the year in 2022, while still a teenager.

If he was an instant hit on arrival, Suaalii took some dents on departure.

As well as picking up a four-game ban for a high hit in the State of Origin showpiece, Suaalii was criticised by some for deserting league. Peter V’landys, Australian Rugby League Commission boss, accused him of chasing easy money and predicted a swift return to the 13-man code.

However, Anderson is sure that Suaalii, stronger and faster for his time in league, can find his feet quickly in union.

“Oh, 100% yeah, he’ll definitely make the transition and he’ll be a world class player,” Thompson said.

“He’s a very special talent and he is still very young.

“If you look at the way rugby league play on the edge, most rugby union teams are pretty similar now.

“I’m not hands on anymore so I don’t know how [Wallabies coach] Joe Schmidt’s got his attack, but you can assume he’s going to get plenty of football whatever position he plays.”

Suaalii is going to get plenty of the spotlight too.

NOT even Noah could handle this flood as Chelsea ran riot and made a mockery of the Conference League.

The two-times European champions were six nil up by half time with five different goalscorers as they sunk Armenia’s fourth best team at training ground pace.

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What is most surprising is that qualifiers Noah held out for 11 minutes before going behind and even gave Chelsea a couple of scares on the biggest night in their short history.

Neither team belongs in this competition with twice Champions League winners Chelsea slumming it after a couple of crazy seasons following a takeover in 2022.

Minnows Noah have only been in existence for seven years and had to scrap all the way through three qualifying rounds and a play off just for the chance to fly 3,000 miles from their hometown to get thrashed under the lights at Stamford Bridge.

Blues squad players Tosin Adarabiyo and Marc Guiu scored their first goals for the club since signing in the summer.

And £42million Portuguese forward Joao Felix helped himself to two goals by the break.

Noah – named after the Biblical boat that finally ran aground on Armenia’s Mount Ararat – were holed below the water line very quickly and never recovered.

Tosin got the rout underway by heading in an Enzo Fernandez corner on 11 minutes.

Teenage centre forward Guiu made it two straight from the kick off when Noah’s defence crumbled after just three passes, allowing the young Spaniard to cash in and bury a shot.

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Chelsea ratings vs Noah

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SUNSPORT’S Dan King rates Chelsea’s young guns after their flood of goals against Noah.

FILIP JORGENSEN – 7
Kept out shot before floodgates opened at other end. Made other sharp saves, including late brave one. Looks a solid No 2.

AXEL DISASI – 7
Out of position for early Noah chance but in right place to head in third. Good link-up with George on the right.

TOSIN ADARABIOYO – 7
Recovered from shaky start defensively to open scoring and his own Chelsea account. Steadier after the break.

BENOIT BADIASHILE – 6
Like Tosin, not entirely convincing as Noah created a few first-half openings, although made one good block. Also better in 2nd half.

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RENATO VEIGA – 5
Couple of early mistakes, one of which could have been costly, set tone. Not as impressive as in previous ECL games.

ENZO FERNANDEZ – 8
On his own in midfield in the first half yet was able to provide three assists, two from corners, and look very comfortable.

TYRIQUE GEORGE – 8
Teenage winger made most of first senior start, beating opponents at will and sending in dangerous crosses. Worked back, too.

CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU – 7
Looked less hungry to tuck in to goal buffet. But went up front for 2nd half and scored twice after missing two good chances.

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JOAO FELIX – 8
At it from the start, missed an early chance but then scored twice in a swaggering first half. Disappointed not to complete hat-trick.

MYKHAILO MUDRYK – 7
Much quieter than George until he cut inside and smashed home with confidence that had seemed lacking. Decent workrate.

MARC GUIU – 7
The 18-year-old striker worked hard as ever and got his reward, bagging his first Chelsea goal and stealing ball ahead of Felix’s first.

SUBS
KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL (for Guiu, HT) – 6
Some neat touches and won penalty for eighth Blues goal.

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CESARE CASADEI (for Fernandez, HT) – 6
Found life as easy as Enzo, yet unable to make the same creative impact.

CARNEY CHUKWUEMEKA (for George, 68) – 5
Took a while to get going and missed decent chance to make it nine.

SAMUEL RAK-SAKYI (for Nkunku, 80) – 6
Teenager mostly composed on first-team debut but shot over bar with goal gaping.

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Chelsea were three up and home and hosed by 18 minutes when defender Axel Disasi scored with his head in a similar fashion to the opening goal and from the same provider.

Blues’ skipper Fernandez then teed up Felix to score the first of his first half double with a threaded ball having dispossessed the hopeless visitors in front of their own area.

A shot from Felix cannoned in off a defender for his second just before half time.

And Mykhailo Mudryk, struggling to make his presence felt in the Premier League this season under new head coach Enzo Maresca gave his confidence a boost by curling in a classy right foot shot six minutes before the interval.

Maresca was so confident of victory that he subbed captain Fernandez at half time, replacing him with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. He could have left both off and it would not have mattered a jot.

More good news for Chelsea fans was the sight of star forward Cole Palmer walking comfortably pitchside before the game, offering hope he will be recovered from a whack on the knee at Manchester United last Sunday in time to face Arsenal this weekend.

Christopher Nkunku claimed his ninth goal of the season and Chelsea’s seventh of the night on 69 minutes when his first shot was blocked by the keeper but he kept his composure to hook home the rebound.

Chelsea are clear favourites to win this tournament outright. Their biggest victory in Europe prior to last night was a 13-0 win over luxembourg’s Jeunesse Hautcharage in the 1971 Cup Winners’ Cup.

They closed in on it at frightening pace when Nkunku made it 8-0 from the penalty spot 14 minutes from time.

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