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 follow long injury layoffs this year for two of the sport’s biggest stars, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz sat out four and a half months and missed two Grand Slams with a right wrist injury between April and August. Sinner, the world No. 1, 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.
Redistributing ranking points
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi outlined the plan on Thursday. Under it, ranking points would be redistributed to award more to players who reach the latter stages of the bigger events.
The proposals would also scrap a policy that allows players to replace three weaker Masters 1000 results each year 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.”
Calendar and player compensation
The proposals come as the ATP prepares to introduce a new Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia, which would raise the annual number of tournaments at that level to 10.
The plan also boosts player earnings. 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. In addition, an annual player pension contribution of approximately $30 million would enhance pension and retirement benefits for 300 players each year.
Changes to doubles
Earlier this year, the men’s tour revealed that it wants to reduce prize money and tournament sizes for doubles from 2028. Gaudenzi said any money reallocated from doubles would stay dedicated to player compensation.
“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.