Medvedev questions ranking system and calls for shorter Tour

Daniil Medvedev has suggested a major rethink of the ATP Tour structure, arguing that the current system pushes players to compete more than they should.

Medvedev proposed a streamlined calendar built around the biggest events.

“Make it four Grand Slams … 11 Masters. The others, maybe make them without points.”

He believes ranking points from smaller tournaments often force players into decisions that prioritise standings over health.

“That’s the only way to make the tour shorter. It’s never going to happen because there are licenses, and the ATP won’t have enough money to buy all of them.”

He pointed to the example of Holger Rune, who suffered an Achilles injury while competing in an ATP 250 event last year.

“Everybody was like ‘Yeah, but you don’t have to play it’, but if he wants to be in Turin, he has to, even if it’s not a mandatory tournament.”

Medvedev admitted he has felt the same pressure.

“Last year I played seven tournaments in a row. Did I have to? No. I played bad at the beginning of the year, maybe I can get 100 points here, 200 here. If there would be no points, it’s an easier decision.”

He acknowledged that such changes are unlikely.

“The other tournaments won’t say, ‘OK, we’re out’ because they would lose money. It’s business. Right now with how the ATP Tour is, it’s never going to change, at least while I’m playing.”

For Medvedev, the issue is not willingness to compete. It is the structure that makes rest difficult when rankings are always at stake.