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 plans follow a year in which stars such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have missed long stretches through 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.
Changes to the ranking system
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 bigger events.
The proposals would also scrap a policy that lets players 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.”
Increased player compensation
The proposals would also raise player compensation. The year-end bonus pool would increase from $21.5 million to $50 million. A new year-end bonus would go to players finishing in the top 250 of the rankings, providing $25 million in career support.
In addition, the ATP would make an annual player pension contribution of approximately $30 million, enhancing pension and retirement benefits for 300 players each year.
Wider calendar and doubles changes
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.
News earlier this year that the men’s tour wants to reduce prize money and tournament sizes for doubles from 2028 also forms part of the wider picture. Gaudenzi said in an open letter published on the ATP website that any prize money reallocated from doubles would remain dedicated to player compensation. He added that it 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 concluded: “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.