Marcos Baghdatis Sounds Off: “Stop Complaining—Use the Union That Exists to Protect You.”
As the sport’s biggest names raise their voices about an overloaded calendar, one former Grand Slam finalist believes they’re fighting the battle the wrong way.
A Growing Chorus of Complaints—But Is Anyone Using the Tools Available?
The tennis calendar has been under fire all season, with stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek openly frustrated by what they see as an unsustainable workload. But while the debate intensifies, former world No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis has stepped in with a blunt message for today’s top players:
Stop airing your grievances to the media and bring them to the union built to defend you.
Baghdatis: “Yes, the schedule is a problem. But complaining to the press won’t fix it.”
Speaking to Tennis365, the 2006 Australian Open runner-up didn’t sugarcoat his take on the controversy.
“Look, I agree the schedule has been a problem for a long time. But what frustrates me is not the complaints themselves. It’s that players complain in interviews instead of going to the PTPA, where their voice can actually create change,” Baghdatis explained.
The Cypriot emphasized that modern players have something he and his generation never had: a player-founded association actively working to protect their interests.
“When I played, we didn’t have a union created by players, fighting for players. Today’s guys do. But they don’t use it. They just vent to the media, which I find strange,” he added.
Alcaraz and Swiatek: Loud Voices in a Heated Debate
Baghdatis’ comments come in response to earlier remarks from the sport’s biggest young stars:
- Carlos Alcaraz warned the tour that the relentless calendar is “going to kill us in some way”, urging officials to make serious changes before injuries pile up even higher.
- Iga Swiatek, never shy about player welfare, has labeled the schedule “crazy” and hinted that she may skip two mandatory tournaments in 2026 as an act of protest.
Their frustration echoes a recurring theme among both ATP and WTA athletes: the tennis season is too long, too demanding, and too inflexible.
Enter the PTPA: Djokovic and Pospisil’s Player-Power Project
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), launched in 2020 by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, was created to give players a unified negotiating voice independent of governing bodies.
Since its debut, several well-known names have aligned with the movement, including:
- Nick Kyrgios
- Hubert Hurkacz
- Reilly Opelka
- Paula Badosa
- Ons Jabeur
Djokovic has repeatedly stated that one of the PTPA’s core missions is securing better rights and conditions for players across all ranking tiers, not only the elite.
But the project has faced resistance. The ATP has been openly critical of the PTPA’s separation from its structure, and Pospisil has previously hinted at tense exchanges with ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, revealing the political friction behind the scenes.
Fan Takeaway: Is Baghdatis Right?
Baghdatis’ stance has sparked debate among fans:
- Some believe today’s players are right to speak publicly, arguing that media pressure is the quickest way to force the sport’s governing bodies into action.
- Others agree with the Cypriots that if a union exists to fight these battles, why not use it as the primary channel?
The conflict highlights a deeper question: Is tennis a united sport, or a collection of competing power centers?
Expert Wrap-Up: A Tug-of-War That’s Only Getting Started
The calls for reform aren’t going away. Top players feel overwhelmed. The calendar continues to expand. And the PTPA–ATP tension still simmers under the surface.
Baghdatis’ message adds a new layer to the storyline: empowerment only works if players actually use the system designed to protect them.
As the 2026 season approaches with mandatory events under scrutiny and stars contemplating skipping tournaments, it’s clear that tennis is inching toward a crossroads.
The question now isn’t whether change is needed. It’s who will drive it and whether the sport’s biggest names will choose the microphone or the meeting room.
