# ATP proposes $350 million player package and 2028 calendar reset in response to Alcaraz and Djokovic concerns

- URL: https://apitofinal.pt/en/modalidades-en/tenis-en/atp-proposes-350-million-player-package-and-2028-calendar-reset-in-response-to-alcaraz-and-djokovic-concerns/
- Published: 2026-10-16T07:46:25+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-20T17:28:18+00:00
- Publisher: Apito Final (apitofinal.pt)
- Section: Ténis
- Tags: Carlos Alcaraz, Grand Slam, masters 1000, Novak Djokovic, tennis

## Key points

- The ATP has proposed a reshaped Tour from 2028, responding to criticism from players including Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
- The plan raises ranking point values at Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events and increases the ATP bonus pool to $50 million.
- It also creates a $25 million fund for the top 250 players and a $30 million pension fund for players leaving professional tennis.

## Article

ATP Unveils Ambitious $350 Million Overhaul to Player Compensation and Calendar Amid Tour Star Backlash

The ATP has responded decisively to mounting pressure from top players like Carlos Alcaraz, who have openly criticized the punishing demands of the current Tour schedule. In a bold move, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has unveiled a sweeping proposal set to reshape the Tour from 2028 onwards, aiming to better align player incentives with scheduling and financial rewards while addressing long-standing concerns raised by Novak Djokovic.

Gaudenzi’s detailed open letter, published on the ATP’s official site, targets the core of the Tour’s structure with a focus on ensuring that the sport’s elite consistently feature at Grand Slams and Masters 1000 tournaments — the pinnacle events where fan engagement and competitive intensity peak. “Players remain free to build their own schedules, and the sport’s biggest tournaments are where the strongest competition, ranking points and financial rewards come together,” Gaudenzi stated. “By aligning compensation, rankings and the calendar more closely, we can help players perform at their best on the biggest stages and give fans more chances to see them there.”

Central to the proposed reforms is a shift from players feeling “obligated” to compete year-round to being “incentivized” to participate selectively, mirroring Alcaraz’s recent candid remarks at the Laver Cup about prioritizing playing with joy over sheer volume of matches. Yet, controversy may linger, as the plan includes launching a tenth Masters 1000 event in Saudi Arabia by 2028 — a development that could reignite debate over calendar congestion.

The Chairman’s blueprint also promises a radical revamp of the ranking points system by increasing the value of points at Grand Slams and Masters, particularly in early rounds. This adjustment aims to prevent players from racing through consecutive tournaments just to maintain ranking momentum after early exits, thus preserving their physical and mental well-being.

Financial disparities between the sport’s superstars and lower-ranked competitors are squarely addressed through a significant expansion of prize money distribution. Gaudenzi proposes raising the ATP bonus pool to $50 million and creating a new $25 million fund dedicated to the top 250 players. This initiative will ease the financial strain on journeyman players, allowing them to reduce their tournament load without jeopardizing income, an issue Djokovic has long championed. Djokovic highlighted this disparity during the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships press conference: “The top of the game is doing well, of course… But I’m speaking on behalf of all the lower-ranked players who struggle to make a living. I think this is the main goal.”

Adding to the financial security measures, the ATP’s plans include establishing a $30 million pension fund to support players transitioning out of professional tennis — a move reflecting Djokovic’s advocacy for improved long-term welfare.

While Gaudenzi’s previous initiatives, including minimum baseline pay and a 50-50 profit share introduced in 2020, have been accepted with moderate success, the contentious 12-day Masters 1000 format remains under scrutiny. The latest proposals seek to balance player welfare and tour economics but will require careful negotiation to align with players’ interests.

With marquee names like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner having missed significant portions of recent seasons due to injury, the ATP’s bold recalibration of the calendar and compensation structure signals a transformative era aimed at sustaining elite performance while safeguarding player health and financial viability.