"I would prefer the Monte-Carlo format": Alex de Minaur honest in not being a fan of Madrid and Rome scheduling

Alex de Minaur faces Denis Shapovalov on Monday evening at the Madrid Open but despite showing exquisite form as of late, he admits that he'd rather have a different format than that of the Madrid or Rome double header.

In quotes to the mixed area at the Madrid Open and collected by The Tennis Gazette, he said that he prefers to play tournaments that are one week and done. ATP 1000 tournaments seem to be more of a two week affair nowadays with many increasing the weeks.

This means more strain on the likes of De Minaur who have to play week on week with very minimal break and Monte-Carlo where he reached the semi-finals was a one and done.

“Even though we don’t play every day, this Masters 1000 format forces us to be in competition mode for a long time,” said De Minaur. “We have to do our routines, be very mentally focused on tennis, and constantly think about what we need to do to give our best.

“Two consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments now keep you in that situation for a month, which is why I would prefer the Monte Carlo format, for example. There’s no need to rest between matches, and you know the tournament will be wrapped up in a week.”

But while that is the case, De Minaur has gone from being a player with clay pedigree having grown up in Spain to showing why that is the case and has emerged as one of the leading lights.

“Three years ago, this part of the season was difficult for me because I couldn’t offer my usual competitiveness,” he continued. “My goal was always to be solid on all surfaces and be able to compete at my best every week of the year.

“I’m close to my peak on clay, I think, but right now I see myself ready to beat anyone on this surface.”