TENNIS SCHEDULE UNDER SCRUTINY

Tough season takes toll, as Alcaraz pulls out of Shanghai amid spate of Beijing retirements

- 

HONG KONG - Carlos Alcaraz added his voice to the criticism and pulled out of the Shanghai Masters with “physical issues”, as the packed schedule for elite tennis players came under renewed scrutiny this week.

With another season approaching its climax, six-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz and fellow Major winners Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff all took aim at the amount of tennis they play.

The busy calendar in women's and men's tennis has been a constant talking point in recent years.

Top players have repeatedly railed against their workload and this week saw a raft of matches end prematurely at the China Open.

Five players retired from their matches in Beijing with injury on Sept 29 alone.

On Sept 30, there was the sight of Daniil Medvedev hobbling about on court, barely able to move, before the Russian called it quits when 0-4 down in the deciding set of his semifinal with US teenager Learner Tien.

Tien's quarterfinal opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, also retired with injury.

World No. 1 Alcaraz suffered an ankle injury in his opening match of the Japan Open that required heavy strapping and put his participation in doubt.