This decision was met by much criticism, with last year’s US Open champion’s calling out the tournament in a lenghty statement.

Despite the backlash, some top players have been encouraged by this decision and have announced that they will play US Open mixed doubles for the first time.

This is not the only change that the New York major has made this year, with the US Open being extended to follow the Australian Open and Roland Garros.

However, Azarenka has actually called out the ATP and WTA Tours by revealing what she thinks the impact of the current calendar could have.

Victoria Azarenka voices concern about the future of tennis

Only bettered by Grand Slam tournaments, ATP/WTA 1000 tournaments are the next biggest calibre of tournament.

Other than Indian Wells and the Miami Open, these events previously took place over just one week.

However, since then they have began expanding to 12 days, with Azarenka has criticizing this move and suggesting that the longevity of tennis players’ careers is currently under threat.

“My idea that I think would be much more successful, is that there are 1000 events that are one week and smaller draws and we should have another tournament for lower ranked players close by or maybe a little bit further,” Azarenka said on fellow WTA player Daria Kasatkina’s YouTube channel.

“But, I feel like we have way too many matches, way too many tournaments, I think it ruins the quality. I think for a player like you (Kasatkina) and Elina (Avanesyan), to see that you can play for as long as I have played for 20 years, physically I think it is going to be a very big question. 

“Because of the amount of tournaments there are, the game became more physical, the courts are slower,  the balls are, everything kind of together for longevity is not going to be sustainable. 

“And that’s why I want to see maybe some smaller at some events or we just have less commitments for players so the quality can stay, the health of players can stay. 

“These events should stay one week, I am not a fan of all the [two week] tournaments, I cannot even imagine now Cincinnati and those weeks going for two weeks, I think that is too much, way too much.”

Current ATP/WTA 1000 Tournament Calendar

In 2025, eight of the 13 different 1000 level tournaments will take place over the extended 12 days.

This includes both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open in 2025, that take place in the weeks leading up to the US Open.

The only 1000 level tournaments that still take place over a single week are the Qatar Open (WTA), Dubai Tennis Championships (WTA), Monte Carlo Masters (ATP), the Wuhan Open (WTA) and the Paris Masters (ATP).

The next tournament at this level Indian Wells, that has also seen a big change, and will feature both the ATP and WTA Tours from Wednesday March 5.