Medvedev calls for ATP ranking system rethink to ease player burden

February 26, 2026

1 minute read

Daniil Medvedev has called for a streamlined ATP calendar in which only Grand Slam and Masters 1000 tournaments award ranking points, though he acknowledged such reforms would be difficult to implement.

Currently, top players are required to compete in the four majors and eight Masters events. Starting in 2026, the ATP will reduce the world rankings breakdown from 19 to 18 tournaments following the removal of an ATP 500 commitment.

World number 11 Medvedev explained that excluding smaller events from ranking points would ease the pressure on players, who have long criticized the demanding 11-month schedule.

“That’s the only way to make the tour shorter,” Medvedev said. “It’s never going to happen because there are licenses, and the ATP won’t have enough money to buy all of them. The other tournaments won’t say, ‘OK, we’re out,’ because they would lose money. It’s business. Right now with how the ATP Tour is, it’s never going to change, at least while I’m playing. Make it four Grand Slams … 11 Masters. The others, maybe make them without points.”

ATP chief Andrea Gaudenzi defended the calendar in October, stating that scheduling remains a choice for the players.

Medvedev highlighted the intense pressure to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin, pointing to Holger Rune, who ruptured his Achilles in an ATP 250 event in October.

“Everybody was like ‘Yeah, but you don’t have to play it,’ but if he wants to be in Turin, he has to, even if it’s not a mandatory tournament,” Medvedev said. “Last year I played seven tournaments in a row. Did I have to? No. I played badly at the beginning of the year, maybe I can get 100 points here, 200 here. If there would be no points, it’s an easier decision.”