Post Olympic syndrome

The scheduling in tennis – a never-ending problem in this sport. For years, players have been talking about difficulties with the scheduling. Tennis has become a more demanding sport than it used to be. A season lasts for more than 11 months. Some players even don't have a rest...

Clay-grass-clay-hard court

Changing surfaces is a familiar activity for every tennis player. The most intense part of the season is May-August. Players after the Roland Garros are going to grass after which many of them are preparing for hard court. Some of them will play ATP 500 or 250 on clay after Wimbledon.

However, this year it was even more intense. After Roland Garros, players switched to grass then again to the slowest surface in order to participate at the Olympics. Despite all the treatments that players have, it isn't easy to switch from surface to another.

Montreal and Toronto this year

Novak Djokovic won the gold medal, Carlos Alcaraz who won the silver medal, Lorenzo Musetti who won the bronze medal didn't play in Montreal. Felix Auger-Aliassime who was fourth at the Olympics, came to Montreal just because it's the Masters in his country. He lost to Cobolli by 6-3 6-2.

Casper Ruud was forced to withdraw after not feeling well in the third round. At the Olympics, he reached the quarterfinals. Zverev, who also reached the quarterfinals of the Olympics, lost in the quarterfinals of Montreal to Korda. Tommy Paul, another Olympic quarterfinalist, lost in the second round.

Women played in Toronto this year. Gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, just like silver and bronze medalists – Vekic and Swiatek, didn't play in Toronto. Olympic quarterfinalist Barbora Krejcikova also didn't participate. Kostyuk, quarterfinalist at the Olympics lost in the third round.

Cincinnati?

At the moment of writing, women's gold medalist Zheng Qinwen is yet to play her first match in Cincinnati. Silver medalist Donna Vekic already lost in the first round to Krueger. Swiatek, who won the bronze medal, won the first match since the Olympics last night against Graceva. Though, it wasn't easy...

Novak Djokovic as expected won't play in Cincinnati. After the 2021 Olympics, he also missed both Masters. Carlos Alcaraz, who reached the final of the Olympics and also won Roland Garros and Wimbledon, took a rest.

“Maybe I was down physically with a few pains that I had to take care about it. That’s why I probably had more days to recover and not do anything.“ Alcaraz told the ATP Tour.

The Spaniard will play his first match tonight against Gael Monfils in Cincinnati. Lorenzo Musetti who won the bronze medal lost in the second round last night to Tiafoe.

The effect on the US Open?

Daniil Medvedev who usually prior the US Open plays well at (at least) one Masters, lost back-to-back at both tournaments. In Montreal, Daniil lost to Davidovich Fokina while in Cincinnati, he lost last night to Lehecka. It has to be a bit of concern for Medvedev. Going to a city in which he won his only Grand Slam without a win on the North America soil could be a problem.

Carlos Alcaraz and his form is under question mark. Cincinnati will be the first place where he will see his form. Since Roland Garros, Alcaraz switched three surfaces. His body is unfortunately inclined to injuries. Hopefully, it won't have a negative effect at the US Open...

Jannik Sinner, who didn't play at the Olympics, has physical struggles. The Italian hopes he will be 100% ready for the US Open. Novak Djokovic will go to the US Open without a match on hard court since Indian Wells. In 2021 when he missed both Masters prior to the US Open, in New York the Serbian reached the final.

All in all, this year's schedule could have an effect on all players. This year's US Open in both male and female draw could be wide open. Primarily, it is important that surface changes don't negatively affect players' bodies. Tennis and its schedule need changes for sure...