'It's just a joke': Ailing Tommo slams tennis schedule
Injury-plagued Jordan Thompson has unleashed a diatribe at the organisers of men's tennis, slamming the brutal, non-stop ATP schedule.
The 31-year-old 'Tommo', one of the tour's great warriors who battled to his first singles title last year, said the current calendar was "shit" and "just a joke" as he fights to hold his season together.
The Sydneysider vented his irritation and frustration after being knocked out of the tournament by Jiri Lehecka in the French Open after a season in which he's already been laid low with three injury setbacks.
He feels the constant tour grind is detrimental to players' health and believes Australians are particularly at risk over a "ridiculous" short off-season before a tournament-packed home summer.
"It's been brutal. I've only played six or seven tournaments this year, started off rupturing a plantar fascia, and then tore an oblique, a groin strain, so just haven't been able to be continually on the court, which is really frustrating to play stop-start tennis and we're not even halfway through the season."
Asked if he could afford to take a couple of weeks break to recuperate, Thompson said: "Unfortunately, with the ATP schedule and how shit it is, we can't afford to take breaks, because you let other people just have an opportunity to pass you on the rankings and get more prize money.
"And you just feel like you're missing out on an opportunity. I can't stand the current schedule. I hate the two-week (Masters 1000) events, and it's even tougher for Aussies.
"Because after every Aussie Open, except this year's, I've left at the end of January, start of February, and I've come back home probably the start of December, because I've got to wait until Davis Cup.
"I know there are opportunities to go home throughout the year, but it is so far to get back to Australia, I don't see the benefit of going there for less than 10 days, because by the time you acclimatise there - an island in the middle of nowhere in a completely different time zone - you've just got to come back and compete again.
"I just don't see how that's beneficial for any tennis player. I just want to stay healthy. You have off-weeks here and there, and they are really key for an Aussie."
Asked if an answer might be to employ other sports' mid-season breaks, he added: "Soccer's got the benefit of an off-season. Our off-season is a pitiful three weeks. That's rubbish.
"I've got some worse words for our off-season. I mean, it's just a joke. For any Australian, it's great that we play in Australia, but if you play Davis Cup (in November), you literally can take maybe seven days off, and that's your off-season, because then you're back into training and you're leaving before Christmas.
"Like our 2025 season started in 2024. I mean, it's just ridiculous. Where's the tennis players' break? I just feel like there is no time to rest or have a holiday."
The ATP have begun to stretch the big Masters events over two weeks at the same venue, as opposed to one week in the past.
"I haven't spoken to a player that likes the two-week events. You are there in one place for an eternity, it feels like," said Thompson.
"A couple of times, I've made the doubles final and I've been in the same city for over 17 days, and we're at one tournament. Like, why is one tournament taking that long to finish?
"I mean, it's just a waste of time in my opinion."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Big Ange entranced as 14 wickets tumble at Lord's on day one
London: Ange Postecoglou watched intently from a box in the Tavern Stand as Australia and South Africa did their best to emulate the famous first day of a Lord's Test match 20 years ago. In 2005, England revelled in the dismissal of Ricky Ponting's mighty Australians for 190, only to be flummoxed by Glenn McGrath and reduced to 7-92 at the close. If not quite so dramatic, the opening exchanges of the World Test Championship final carried a similar sense of undulation in north London, as Kagiso Rabada humbled Australia for 212, before Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood left South Africa wobbling at 4-43 by stumps. For Postecoglou, who was happy to relax at side stage as a guest of Cricket Australia after two dramatic years with Tottenham Hotspur, the game's fast-forward nature kept him and more than 26,000 other spectators very much on the edges of their seats. There is brittleness in evidence among the batters on both sides, and they were fully stretched by quality fast bowling and a pitch that did more than its straw-coloured visage might have at first suggested. In all, nine wickets fell for 64 runs in the day's final session. Among the biggest cheers was for South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma, who took 31 balls to get off the mark before squeezing Hazlewood behind square leg for a couple. The Proteas' chances of a first innings lead are largely in his hands. It may have been worse for South Africa. Alex Carey spilled Wiaan Mulder when Starc was in full flight, swinging the ball late from the Nursery End. While Mulder didn't make many runs, he absorbed the rest of Starc's spell, which might have turned four incisions into five or six. Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins needed to be sharp because of what Rabada had produced. On Test match eve, Cummins was informed that England's Jimmy Anderson rated Rabada a better fast bowler than the Australian captain. 'Cool, no worries,' came the unflappable deflection.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Big Ange entranced as 14 wickets tumble at Lord's on day one
London: Ange Postecoglou watched intently from a box in the Tavern Stand as Australia and South Africa did their best to emulate the famous first day of a Lord's Test match 20 years ago. In 2005, England revelled in the dismissal of Ricky Ponting's mighty Australians for 190, only to be flummoxed by Glenn McGrath and reduced to 7-92 at the close. If not quite so dramatic, the opening exchanges of the World Test Championship final carried a similar sense of undulation in north London, as Kagiso Rabada humbled Australia for 212, before Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood left South Africa wobbling at 4-43 by stumps. For Postecoglou, who was happy to relax at side stage as a guest of Cricket Australia after two dramatic years with Tottenham Hotspur, the game's fast-forward nature kept him and more than 26,000 other spectators very much on the edges of their seats. There is brittleness in evidence among the batters on both sides, and they were fully stretched by quality fast bowling and a pitch that did more than its straw-coloured visage might have at first suggested. In all, nine wickets fell for 64 runs in the day's final session. Among the biggest cheers was for South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma, who took 31 balls to get off the mark before squeezing Hazlewood behind square leg for a couple. The Proteas' chances of a first innings lead are largely in his hands. It may have been worse for South Africa. Alex Carey spilled Wiaan Mulder when Starc was in full flight, swinging the ball late from the Nursery End. While Mulder didn't make many runs, he absorbed the rest of Starc's spell, which might have turned four incisions into five or six. Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins needed to be sharp because of what Rabada had produced. On Test match eve, Cummins was informed that England's Jimmy Anderson rated Rabada a better fast bowler than the Australian captain. 'Cool, no worries,' came the unflappable deflection.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Quarter century of indoor beach volleyball in Joondalup
Marking its 25th anniversary this month, the Joondalup Indoor Beach Volleyball Centre remains the top spot for volleyball fans across Perth's northern suburbs. When it opened on Winton Road in 2000, it was surrounded by bushland and kangaroos, with no freeway in sight. Darrel Fox, together with his wife Vicki and son Jayson, is recognised as a driving force behind the creation of WA's indoor beach volleyball industry. Your local paper, whenever you want it. He pioneered the sport by establishing centres in Port Kennedy, Malaga, Canning Vale, Bunbury, Fremantle and Joondalup, as well as founding the Indoor Beach Volleyball Federation. Mr Fox recalled how their opening of the Joondalup Centre coincided with a historic moment for beach volleyball in Australia just three months later. 'We moved into Joondalup the same year beach volleyball made its Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games, where Australians Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst won gold — which was purely coincidental but really helped boost the sport's profile,' Mr Fox said. Though Joondalup is now the only centre they still own and operate as he moves closer to retirement, Mr Fox said that after a quarter of a century Perth's indoor beach volleyball community remained as strong as ever, with current participation evidence of that. Joondalup Indoor Beach Volleyball is celebrating 25 years of operation this month. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian 'We have everyone from schools bringing students in to play to 80-year-olds who join to stay active and social,' Mr Fox said. 'We've even started drop-in volleyball sessions, designed specifically to give shift workers like police, nurses and FIFO employees a flexible way to play team sports without the pressure of long-term commitment, which supports their mental health and social connection.' Given the sport is played indoors with nets and soft sand, Mr Fox said there's never a quiet season, with players of all ages and skill levels drawn to the game year-round. 'The nets are what make the game, helping beginners get started and giving more experienced players even greater control,' he said. 'Schools especially love it because, unlike on large ovals or basketball courts where balls can fly and distract kids, the nets keep the ball in play, helping students stay focused and the game run smoothly.' Owner Darrel Fox said the sport is popular with all age groups. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian An indoor sports centre just down the road in Joondalup, Bouncer, closed its doors earlier this year after 30 years due to what it described as unsustainable rent increases. Mr Fox hopes privately operated indoor sports venues will one day receive support from the government or local councils in recognition of their important contribution to the community. 'People wonder why places like Bouncer closed, why two or three of our volleyball centres shut in the last 18 months. It's not because we want to. It's just really hard to survive with the costs,' he said. 'We're trying to provide for the community but don't get any assistance. Eventually they'll all be gone, like most squash centres have disappeared, and a lot of indoor cricket centres have closed down over the last 20 years here in WA.' Mr Fox believes council-run recreation centres should look to cater for a broader range of activities rather than just traditional sports. 'Overheads are so high now, it's just not viable anymore for a lot of private sports centres,' he said. 'It'd be great if the government or councils provided space at new recreation centres for activities other than basketball courts, as people want more variety these days.' The centre holds a special place in the hearts of many locals after nurturing players who began with no volleyball experience and went on to represent Australia nationally and internationally. Mr Fox hopes it will continue to serve the community for many years to come. 'It would be devastating for people if this place closed. It's more than a community — it's like a close-knit family,' he said. 'The kids who played here 20 years ago are now bringing their own children to play here. 'It's been a great 25 years, and hopefully the sport will still be going strong for another 25, even if I'm not the one running it.'
