Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud, and Others’ Mass Withdrawals in Basel and Vienna Raise Questions in Tennis Community
Felix Auger-Aliassime and Casper Ruud’s unexpected withdrawals from the 2025 Swiss Indoors Basel and Vienna Open have sparked a wave of concern and frustration among tennis fans, who flooded social media to question the ATP’s grueling schedule and its impact on players’ health.
With several top names pulling out or retiring mid-match, many in the tennis community are now wondering if the sport’s demanding calendar has finally pushed players to their limit.
Injury Woes Sideline Felix Auger-Aliassime and Casper Ruud at Key European Tournaments
In Basel, the turmoil started when Jakub Menšík pulled out of his second-round match against João Fonseca because of a left foot injury, allowing the young Brazilian a free pass to the quarterfinals. Soon after, chaos unfolded in the last eight. Auger-Aliassime retired from his match against Jaume Munar after dropping the first set 6-3 due to a back issue.
Denis Shapovalov ended his match early against Fonseca when trailing 3-6, 6-3, 4-1, while Ruud joined the list of casualties, retiring after just one set in his quarterfinal clash with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina because of an ankle injury.
The Vienna Open was not spared either. Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew only hours before his opening-round match, citing persistent back problems, his third straight withdrawal following Beijing and Shanghai. Later in the tournament, Tallon Griekspoor also pulled out ahead of his quarterfinal against Alexander Zverev, giving the German a direct route to the semifinals.
With so many top names sidelined, fans could not ignore the elephant in the room: the ATP’s congested calendar, now expanded with the addition of a 10th Masters tournament in Saudi Arabia, is taking a visible toll on player health.
How Is the Tennis Community Reacting to Consecutive Retirements?
Tennis fans, particularly on Reddit, were quick to share their frustration and mock the situation with biting humor. One user commented, “Players: The schedule is packed, there are too many tournaments. ATP: lol,” while another sarcastically added, “The obvious solution is to add another Masters title – ATP (probably).”
Screengrab of comments from Reddit
Others were more direct in criticizing the organization, with a post reading, “This is not a good product ATP. Let the players rest so we can enjoy them at their best.”
Some leaned into full-blown irony to make their point. “Maybe if they up the Masters to 12 in a year and make them 20 days long? Plus heavier balls and more off-court engagements. That should fix it. Tennis players are freelancers after all!” one user joked, while another quipped, “Totally normal and functioning tour, nothing to see here y’all!”
MORE: ‘Helping Absolutely Nobody’s Health’– Andy Roddick Joins Other Players in ATP Schedule Criticism After Holger Rune’s Injury
A few fans even wondered whether the sudden wave of retirements was an unspoken form of protest, with one writing, “I wonder if this is a coordinated protest or players are just that exhausted. Obviously both are bad for the game.”
As the 2025 season winds down and the ATP prepares for another expanded schedule, fans are voicing a common sentiment that the sport would benefit more from fewer withdrawals and better-rested players delivering their best tennis on court.
