Former Grand Slam mixed doubles champion John Lloyd has publicly criticized the current professional tennis schedule, labeling it “insanity” as a wave of high-profile withdrawals hits Wimbledon. Speaking to Tennis365, Lloyd argued that the current structure is unsustainable and is directly contributing to the increasing frequency of player injuries.
Lloyd proposed a drastic restructuring of the tour, suggesting that the Australian Open be moved from its January slot to March. While acknowledging that such a shift is unlikely to materialize, he emphasized the need for immediate action. His primary recommendation for player welfare is to transition Grand Slam matches from best-of-five to best-of-three sets.
“It’s going to get worse,” Lloyd stated, noting that the physical demands of modern tennis have evolved to a level where athletes are essentially “turbocharging” their bodies without adequate recovery time. He highlighted that the transition from a short off-season directly into preparation for major tournaments forces players to push their bodies beyond safe limits.
The call for reform comes as Wimbledon faces a significant injury crisis. With the tournament set to begin on June 29, 13 players have already withdrawn. This includes Carlos Alcaraz, Lorenzo Musetti, and Holger Rune. Data shows a marked disparity in the men’s draw, which has seen nine withdrawals compared to four in the women’s field, a trend Lloyd attributes to the extreme physical toll of best-of-five set matches.