Tennis legend Andre Agassi has added his formidable voice to the growing chorus of concern regarding player welfare, fiercely demanding that tennis governing bodies implement proper, mandatory rest periods to combat the alarming rise of physical and mental exhaustion on tour.
Speaking on the demands of the modern game, the eight-time Grand Slam champion in a chat with France 24, pointed out that the relentless, nearly year-round schedule leaves athletes with almost no time to heal, recharge, or maintain long-term health.
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Agassi highlighted that unlike many other major sports that feature definitive off-seasons, professional tennis players face a punishing 11-month cycle of high-stakes tournaments, cross-continent travel, and mandatory commitments.
“I said to him, ‘Ben, before you can say anything, I need you to know that nothing matters more to me than my players’. And that’s there, not just for the Laver Cup, but for their careers.
“Courts and balls like these are sort of the most brutal form of the sport,” he said. “And these guys still go out there and put themselves through it.
“I think that they cover more real estate than (vice-captain) Pat (Rafter) and I ever really had to do in our day. It would be my hope (for) an off-season of some relative form of security for both the players, but also for the fans so that they look forward to the game.
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“Cut them back. Every sport has it. There are a lot of times in life where… less is more. I think in a lot of cases, tennis would benefit from that. I’d hate to see the compromise ever come on an event like this that is hosted under such a magnificent name and person that none of us would be here today without in this game.
“So this wouldn’t be the place I would choose to cut some edges. But I would like to see these awesome athletes always be at their best. I think everybody wins with that.”
