An additional bye: the new rule the ATP could adopt in the Masters 1000

The Masters 1000 are not done evolving. After the extension to twelve days, the ATP is reportedly considering granting an additional bye to the top seeds. The goal: to lighten their schedule while addressing criticism of the new format.

A new revolution coming on the ATP Tour? The Masters 1000, heavily criticized since the reform that saw them progressively move from eight to twelve days starting in 2023, would be at the heart of a new change that the men's tour's governing body could apply.

As reported by the website Ubitennis, Andrea Gaudenzi, the head of the ATP, is reportedly considering the possibility of granting an additional bye (a free pass to skip a round) in the twelve-day Masters 1000 tournaments. The top seeds could thus enter the tournament from the third round:

"It's an option. Those who would want to come earlier could still earn points and prize money, those who would arrive later, due to external commitments like exhibitions or sponsor-related events, would forgo them."

This would be one of the solutions being considered to reduce the criticism concerning the Masters 1000 played over twelve days, of which there are now seven on the calendar.