London, January 8 - The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) announced today a reduction in the number of mandatory tournaments, in response to pressure from frequent player complaints about the packed calendar.
The governing body of men's tennis indicated that, starting this year, the top 30 ranked players will have to compete in a minimum of four ATP 500 category tournaments, one fewer than previously required.
In a statement, the organization also reported that participants in Masters 1000 or ATP 500 tournaments who withdraw due to the "birth or adoption of a child" will not lose the points earned up to that moment in the competition.
Therefore, over the course of a season, the best players will have to take part in 18 events, instead of the 19 counted until now, since the four Grand Slams, the Masters 1000, and the ATP Finals remain mandatory.
Likewise, the ATP announced that the eight players who will participate in that final tournament will be known one week earlier, after the conclusion of the Paris Masters 1000 on November 8.
On another note, the organization confirmed that it is also extending the use of video replay to all ATP 500 events and, starting in 2027, to ATP 250 tournaments.
