The ATP Tour is proposing rule changes that it says will “reduce the pressure to overplay and help players manage the demands of the season.” The proposals come as stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have missed long stretches this year due to injury.
Alcaraz sat out 4 1/2 months and missed two Grand Slams with a right wrist injury between April and August. Sinner, the top-ranked player, has not played since he won Wimbledon in July. Last week, he announced that he would sit out the rest of the year because of inflammation in his right knee.
Ranking Points Shift Toward the Biggest Events
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi outlined a plan on Thursday that would redistribute ranking points to award more to players who reach the later rounds of bigger events. The tour would also eliminate a policy that lets players replace their three weakest Masters 1000 results with better results from 500-level or 250-level events later in the season.
“That can create pressure to add tournaments after an early loss to make up the points,” Gaudenzi said. “The proposals would remove this, so results at the biggest events count in full and players can plan their schedules around them rather than chasing points and risking overplaying.”
The proposals arrive as the ATP prepares to launch a new Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia, which would raise the annual number of tournaments at that level to 10.
More Money and Benefits for Players
The plan also boosts player compensation. The year-end bonus pool would rise from $21.5 million to $50 million. Players finishing in the top 250 of the rankings would receive a year-end bonus that provides $25 million in career support.
The ATP would also make an annual player pension contribution of approximately $30 million, which would enhance pension and retirement benefits for 300 players each year.
Earlier this year, the men’s tour signaled that it wants to reduce prize money and tournament sizes for doubles starting in 2028. Gaudenzi said any prize money reallocated from doubles would stay dedicated to player compensation and is expected to be reinvested into singles qualifying and early-round prize money.
“Any prize money reallocated from doubles would remain dedicated to player compensation and is expected to be reinvested into singles qualifying and early-round prize money, helping more players invest in their careers and compete with the world’s best players,” Gaudenzi said in an open letter published on the ATP website.
“Together, these proposals are intended to give players a clearer framework for planning their seasons, reward performance at the tour’s biggest events and extend support to more players.”
The proposals remain subject to further consultation and approval.