Casper Ruud Responds to Novak Djokovic’s ‘Unity’ Comments on Tennis Calendar

The debate over tennis scheduling continues, with Casper Ruud once again calling the season “really long.” He agrees with Novak Djokovic, who has often criticized how demanding the ATP and WTA calendars are. Top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek have also voiced frustration with the packed schedule in recent months.

Djokovic believes there are too many tournaments and says players lack unity to bring about real change. According to him, many complain about the issue but fail to take consistent action. He argues that without collective effort, the problem will persist. Ruud said on Bolavip:

What Novak says makes absolute sense. He has more experience than any other player. What I talked about at Roland Garros was that there is a financial incentive to play and not skip the Masters 1000 tournaments, with bonuses and all that. If you’re in the top 15 and have many expenses, you don’t want to miss any opportunity to earn money. I know that if you’re not healthy, no one will send you to jail for skipping a Masters 1000, but that financial incentive is there, and some care more than others. Anyway, the season is very long

Players are obligated to compete in a set number of mandatory events each season. Skipping them can lead to fines or ranking point deductions. This pressure leaves little room for rest and recovery, increasing the strain on top athletes.

Ruud agrees with Djokovic’s view that players must take responsibility. Djokovic insists that athletes should learn how the system works and actively push for improvements. Ruud supports this idea, saying that real progress will only come when players stand together and take initiative.

Casper Ruud set to skip more events

Casper Ruud has revealed that he plans to adjust his schedule in the future by playing fewer tournaments. The Norwegian star wants to reduce his workload to avoid injuries and prevent burnout after a demanding few seasons on tour. Ruud added further in the interview:

I had a very hectic 3–4 years since I reached the top 10. I played a lot of events, and I played some exhibitions in the preseason, so those are some choices that I have made, which I look back on and think I shouldn’t have done. For the future, that is something I will take into consideration.