Agassi calls for cuts to tennis calendar but says Laver Cup deserves place on it

[p]Calls are growing for the tennis calendar to be cut down, with the expansion of existing events and the introduction of new ones increasing the travel and workload of players significantly in recent years.[/p][p]The impact of that busier schedule is clear to see, with numerous high-profile players picking up serious injuries this year, including [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alcaraz-garfia-carlos/UkhgIFEq/"]Carlos Alcaraz[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sinner-jannik/6HdC3z4H/"]Jannik Sinner[/a].[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/world-laver-cup/C29ghPpq/"]Team World[/a] captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/agassi-andre/dpmh3fNO/"]Agassi[/a] has felt the impact of it directly, with star player [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/shelton-ben/QNuG0Gzb/"]Ben Shelton[/a] pulling out of the Laver Cup days before its start, and he thinks changes should be made, especially given the physical nature of the sport these days.[/p][p][b]"I think overall, the game's gotten way more physical. Courts and balls like these are some of the most brutal forms of the sport,"[/b] he said.[/p][p][b]"I think that they cover more real estate than Pat (Rafter, Team World's vice captain) and I ever really had to in our day, and they're rewarded with swinging real heavier balls...[/b][/p][p][b]"So when I look at that kind of wear and tear and then you look at a situation like Alcaraz, going out for four and a half months because of a wrist injury... You really have to be diligent in making sure your schedule fits your objectives in this game.[/b][/p][p][b]"And it would be my hope for an off-season, as some relative form of security for the players but also for the fans - they look forward to the game coming back. Every sport has it."[/b][/p][embed guid="ef905dea-247d-448a-a7af-4bb4c6c2dfc3" url="https://x.com/LaverCup/status/2102879402409279974" social-type="twitter" /][p]Many argue that there are too many different team events, with the Laver Cup being joined on the calendar by the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, Hopman Cup and United Cup.[/p][p]However, while Agassi believes that cuts should be made, he argues that the Laver Cup deserves to keep its place, for the legacy of Rod Laver - the legendary player the tournament is named after - if nothing else.[/p][p][b]"There are times in life when less is more. I think in a lot of cases, tennis can benefit from that,"[/b] he added.[/p][p][b]"Where the Laver Cup fits? I think this is a fantastic event, and I'd hate to see the compromises come on an event like this, that is hosted under such a magnificent name and person who none of us would be here today without, in this game.[/b][/p][p][b]"So this wouldn't be the place I would choose to cut some edges."[/b][/p][embed guid="f91f8764-9632-47fc-8e72-2d510e31a14e" url="https://x.com/LaverCup/status/2102748444184215994" social-type="twitter" /]