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Ben Shelton highlights major issue on ATP Tour that players can’t ignore

Originally posted on HITC | By Matthew Johns | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 9:49 AM ET

Ben Shelton’s rise on the ATP Tour has been hard to miss.

Now sitting at a career-high ranking, he is starting to make his presence felt in the sport’s biggest events.

Following his recent win at the Canadian Open – a match that included some controversy involving Flavio Cobolli – Shelton spoke out about an issue he believes needs attention on tour.

Ben Shelton believes the new Masters 1000 schedule is hurting the quality of play

The Canadian Open has expanded to a 12-day event for the first time this year, part of a wider push by both the ATP and WTA Tours to grow 1000 level tournaments.

These longer Masters 1000 events have come under fire since they were introduced, with many feeling they disrupt the flow of the season.

This change has hit the men’s draw in Toronto particularly hard this year. Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz all pulled out of the event, citing a lack of recovery time after Wimbledon.

After many consecutive weeks of competition without rest, I will not be able to play in Toronto this year. I have small muscles issues and I need to recover physically and mentally for what comes next. To the tournament and to my fans in Canada I am very sorry, I will see you…
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) July 21, 2025

Shelton also pointed out another issue, saying he feels that tennis quality drops at these extended events where players get a day off between matches.

Speaking after his match, Shelton explained: “Did you say, ‘us mere mortals?’ I’m a mere mortal too. Yeah, like I said, I think that my game is well equipped to deal with these conditions, and it helps a lot of my weapons. But when you’re not playing in these types of conditions throughout the year it can be difficult to adjust and find your range.”

“I said that I was tired after Wimbledon,” he continued. “And if it was a different situation maybe I wouldn’t have played that 500 in Washington but in DC it’s like my second home and there are some advantages to getting more matches in these types of conditions and feeling more comfortable.”

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Shelton added: “The difficult part about these two-week tournaments is you’re playing two-set matches or three-set matches and getting a day off in between, which everyone talks about now in the locker room – how much better back-to-back days are because you get into rhythm.”

“It’s tough with the start and stop, and I think that a combination of those things is probably what players are talking about and what’s throwing a lot of guys off.”

The Canadian Open organisers have responded to concerns from players and shared whether there are any plans to adjust things for future editions.

Masters 1000 tournaments now played over 12 days

In 2025, the ATP calendar will feature nine Masters 1000 events, with seven of them now held across a 12-day span.

The Monte Carlo Masters and Paris Masters are the only two that have stayed with the traditional one-week schedule.

Frances Tiafoe has also raised concerns about this year’s Canadian Open, pointing out that the finals are set for a Thursday instead of the usual Sunday.

Masters 1000 Tournament	Dates in 2025
Indian Wells	5-16 March (12 days)
Miami Open	19-30 March (12 days)
Monte Carlo Masters	6-13 April (8 days)
Madrid Open	23 April – 4 May (12 days)
Italian Open	7-18 May (12 days)
Canadian Open	27 July – 7 August (12 days)
Cincinnati Open	7-18 August (12 days)
Shanghai Masters	1-12 October (12 days)
Paris Masters	27 October – 2 November (7 days)