Mass withdrawals of Félix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud and others in Basel and Vienna raise questions in the tennis community
The unexpected withdrawals of Félix Auger-Aliassime and Casper Ruud from the Swiss Indoors Basel and Vienna Open 2025 triggered a wave of concern and frustration among tennis fans, who flooded social media to question the grueling ATP schedule and its impact on players’ health.
With several big names stepping down or retiring mid-match, many in the tennis community are now wondering whether the sport’s demanding schedule has finally pushed players to their limits.
Injuries hit Felix Auger-Aliassime and Casper Ruud at key European tournaments
In Basel, the turmoil began when Jakub Menšík withdrew from his second round match against João Fonseca due to a left foot injury, allowing the young Brazilian to advance to the quarter-finals. Shortly after, chaos ensued in the round of 16. Auger-Aliassime withdrew from his match against Jaume Munar after losing the first set 6-3 due to a back problem.
Denis Shapovalov ended his match early against Fonseca while trailing 3-6, 6-3, 4-1, while Ruud joined the casualty list, dropping out after just one set in his quarterfinal clash with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina due to an ankle injury.
The Vienna Open was not spared either. Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew just hours before his first-round match, citing lingering back problems, his third consecutive withdrawal after Beijing and Shanghai. Later in the tournament, Tallon Griekspoor also withdrew before his quarter-final against Alexander Zverev, giving the German a direct path to the semi-finals.
With so many big names sidelined, fans couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room: The crowded ATP calendar, now expanded with the addition of a 10th Masters tournament in Saudi Arabia, is taking a visible toll on players’ health.
How does the tennis community react to back-to-back retirements?
Tennis fans, especially on Reddit, were quick to share their frustration and mock the situation with biting humor. One user commented: “Players: schedule is busy, too many tournaments. ATP: lol,” while another added sarcastically: “The obvious solution is to add another Masters title – ATP (probably).”
Others criticized the organization more directly, with one message saying: “This is not a good ATP product. Let the players rest so we can make the most of it.”
Some resorted to irony to make their point. “Maybe if they increased the number of Masters to 12 in a year and made them last 20 days? Plus heavier balls and more off-court commitments. That should solve the problem. Tennis players are freelancers after all!” one user joked, while another joked: “Totally normal and functional tour, nothing to see here, y’all!
MORE: ‘Help absolutely no one improve health’ – Andy Roddick joins other players in criticism of ATP calendar after Holger Rune injury
A few fans even wondered if the sudden wave of withdrawals was an unspoken form of protest, with one writing: “I wonder if this is a coordinated protest or if the players are just exhausted. Obviously both are bad for the game.”
As the 2025 season draws to a close and the ATP prepares for a new expanded schedule, fans are expressing a common sentiment that the sport would benefit more from fewer withdrawals and better-rested players delivering their best tennis on court.
