Denis Shapovalov echoes Taylor Fritz's sentiments, lends insight on why ATP stars play exhibition tournaments despite criticizing hectic schedule

Denis Shapovalov has shared his opinion on the criticism that is being directed towards players over their complaints regarding the hectic tennis calendar but simultaneous participation in numerous exhibition events. The Canadian's verdict on the subject came in the aftermath of Taylor Fritz's exchange on the same with Australian former ATP player John Millman.

Several high-profile players such as Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz have been critical of tennis' grueling schedule recently. According to them, players are at severe risk of burning out and sustaining severe injuries if they continue playing a high number of competitive matches throughout the year.

However, their opinions have come under fire, with the counter-criticism being that they don't complain when it comes to playing lucrative exhibition events. Recently, Millman stood by this counter-criticism stance, but 2024 US Open finalist Taylor Fritz responded to him. Fritz opined that comparing ATP Tour-level events to exhibition matches is unfair because the latter aren't as physically and mentally taxing as the former.

Later, Denis Shapovalov, a former World No. 10, also chimed in with his thoughts on the matter. The Canadian stated that most players, especially those ranked outside the top 20, choose to play exhibitions because of the limited amount of money they make elsewhere on the ATP Tour.

"In my opinion if players would make decent money during the season they wouldn’t feel the need to play exhos in off weeks. Instead, players (aside from maybe top 20) only make decent money 4 times a year (slams). So it’s a no brainer for players to go play exhos for good cash," Shapovalov wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Denis Shapovalov's take was later countered by Myles David, the host of the Tuned Into Tennis podcast. David cited the example of World No. 113 Laslo Djere and opined that the money the Serb has made so far this season is "decent".

"Just out of curiosity, I checked YTD prize money accrual for a player who’s outside of the top 100, Laslo Djere actually who’s currently ranked No.113 and has played a mix of grand slams, tour events, and challengers this season… he’s made $575,761,000. Is that not decent money?" David asked Denis Shapovalov.

To this, the Canadian replied by saying that the amount of money stated by David only looks good on the surface. Shapovalov laid bare that a lot of that money goes into several categories of necessary expenses for players, such as taxes and salaries for team members. The former World No. 10 concluded by suggesting that it makes financial sense for players to participate in exhibition events.

"Yes but take out taxes, percentages, salaries and expenses we pay. Tennis isn’t like other sports where you keep the money you make. There are a lot of costs as a tennis player. Not saying we don’t make money, just that we make much more money playing exhos," Shapovalov added.

Romanian WTA player Andreea Prisacariu agreed with everything Shapovalov had to say and urged critics to imagine the plight of players plying their trade at the ITF level.

Denis Shapovalov's take resonated with Andreea Prisacariu

Andreea Prisacariu (Source: Getty)

Ranked at a lowly 431 in the WTA Tour singles rankings, Romanian Andreea Prisacariu furthered Denis Shapovalov's argument by laying bare the financial struggles players experience on the ITF circuit, especially if they fail to win tournaments. Prisacariu herself has tasted relative success on the ITF circuit, having won six singles and nine doubles titles.

"Also imagine ITF level... with the money we earn IF we win the tournament and then the hotel with 100euro per night+food+coach+coach's food+plane tickets+stringing etc. Just imagine if you don't win and still gotta pay all that," Prisacariu replied to Shapovalov's post.

On the tennis front, Shapovalov's latest outing was at an ATP Challenger-level event in the French city of Orleans. Unfortunately, the Canadian was ousted from the tournament in the Round of 16 by Alexander Blockx.