Richard Gasquet has criticized the new ATP calendar, which will resume next August after a long lay-off due to the coronavirus pandemic. The schedule from mid-August to October will feature two Grand Slams (US Open and French Open) and two Masters 1000 on clay (Madrid and Rome) in just six weeks.
Gasquet expressed his opinion in an interview to the French newspaper Le Parisien.
“The tournaments are all crammed up. It’s completely crazy. So many tournaments in a short time. It’s grotesque, but everyone wants to save their tournament. This is normal because it economically vital. Players will have to make their choices, even more so for the best players who play many more games”, said Gasquet.
Gasquet said that it’s not possible for players to win both Grand Slam titles, because there is no time enough to recover between the tournaments.
“In any case, it seems impossible to string together the US Open with the Madrid tournament the following week. The same scenario with Rome which is held the week before Roland Garros. Those who want to win two Grand Slam titles can’t afford it”, said Gasquet.
The French player is concerned about the rules regarding the quarantine and is worried if any of the players is tested positive to covid-19.
“Like some of the other players, I will see how the situation progresses and then decide whether to go to New York or skip the clay tournaments after the clay tournaments after the US Open”.
Gasquet reached two semifinals at Wimbledon in 2007 and 2015 and at the US Open in 2013 and the quarter finals at Roland Garros in 2016. However he has struggled with injury problems in recent times. He is currently ranked world number 50.
Gasquet is taking part in the revolutionary Ultimate Tennis Showdown organised by Patrick Mouratoglou in his Academy in Southern France.
“The Ultimate Tennis Showdown is perfect for regaining sensations. No training can replace a match”.