Tennis is facing another major debate over its demanding schedule, and former Emma Raducanu coach Mark Petchey has added his voice to the conversation. With Novak Djokovic and several other leading stars skipping the Canadian Masters, questions are growing over whether the current calendar is still working for the biggest names in the sport.

Petchey, who has worked closely with Raducanu and remains a respected tennis commentator, recently highlighted what he sees as a long-running problem surrounding the Canadian tournament. His comments came after Djokovic and Jannik Sinner were among the high-profile players who withdrew, once again putting the spotlight on the difficult transition from the summer hard-court swing to the US Open.

The issue is not simply about players choosing to rest. The timing of the Canadian Masters has become increasingly controversial because it sits so close to the final Grand Slam of the season. For players chasing major titles, competing in Canada can mean adding another demanding tournament to an already exhausting stretch of the calendar.

Petchey pointed out that the men’s tour has struggled to attract its biggest stars to Canada for years. According to his analysis, the world’s top three players have not all competed at the Canadian event since 2013. That pattern suggests the problem is deeper than one season or one generation of players.

A possible solution would be to rethink the placement of the Canadian Masters. Moving the tournament to a more suitable position in the calendar could give players greater opportunity to compete without sacrificing their preparation for the US Open. However, any significant scheduling change could also have unexpected consequences for veterans such as Djokovic.

At this stage of his career, Djokovic has become increasingly selective about his tournament schedule. His priority is clearly to remain physically prepared for the biggest events, particularly the Grand Slams. A revised calendar that places greater pressure on top players to participate could therefore make life more difficult for the Serbian superstar.

The debate has become even more important following a wave of withdrawals and injury concerns across men’s tennis. The Professional Tennis Players Association has also criticized the demands placed on players, arguing that the expanded Masters format and packed schedule are contributing to increased physical strain.

For Raducanu, the discussion is particularly interesting because she has experienced firsthand how demanding the modern tennis calendar can be. Her career has included injuries, illness and frequent changes within her coaching setup. In 2026, she reunited with Andrew Richardson, the coach who guided her to her historic 2021 US Open triumph.

Ultimately, Petchey’s comments are about more than one tournament. They raise a bigger question about what tennis should look like in the future. Should the sport prioritize longer seasons and commercial opportunities, or should player health and recovery come first?

Whatever decision is eventually made, Djokovic’s position will be one of the most closely watched. A calendar designed to encourage greater participation could benefit fans and tournaments—but for an aging champion carefully managing his body, it could also create a fresh challenge at the most important stage of his career.