John Isner highlights issue at Madrid Open which he believes led to Frances Tiafoe’s withdrawal

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Frances Tiafoe has joined a growing list of players to pull out of the Madrid Open this year.

The American hasn’t featured since the ATP 250 event in Houston, even though he was entered for both the Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open.

Tiafoe’s decision to skip Monte Carlo wasn’t unexpected, as it would have given him just a day to travel from the US to Monaco.

However, his withdrawal from Madrid caught more people off guard. Former top-10 player John Isner thinks he understands why, pointing to what he sees as a wider problem in tennis at the moment.

John Isner says Frances Tiafoe would have played Madrid Open if it was a week-long event

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Since 2023, the Madrid Open has shifted to a two-week format, drawing criticism from players like Carlos Alcaraz.

Isner believes this extended format is contributing to a rise in player withdrawals, especially as Madrid is now one of seven Masters 1000 events spread over two weeks.

Speaking on the Nothing Major Podcast, Isner pointed out that American players face unique challenges with this schedule and suggested Tiafoe might have stayed in the draw if the event was only one week.

“It’s a product of the format, in my opinion,” he said. “Frances Tiafoe would play Madrid if it was a week-long event.

“He doesn’t mind clay, I think he is healthy. But you don’t want to go over there and be in Europe for 26 or 28 days before Roland Garros and have the possibility of playing three or four matches.

“It’s insane. It’s mentally exhausting and even if you win, everything is good, but then it’s another day off followed by another day off. It’s too long, everyone knows this. I know the revenue is probably up, yes, but this is brutal for the players and the quality is down.”

ATP players who have withdrawn from the Madrid Open

Tiafoe is among 10 players who have pulled out of the men’s singles draw at this year’s Madrid Open, though he’s the only one without a clear reason for his absence.

Others on that list include Carlos Alcaraz, still dealing with a wrist problem, along with Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper.

Of those names, three are Americans: Tiafoe, Sebastian Korda and Taylor Fritz. Both Korda and Fritz were already carrying physical issues before withdrawing.

The trend is even more pronounced in the women’s draw, where 13 players have withdrawn so far.

The most recent addition is Amanda Anisimova, another American, who pulled out due to a wrist injury.

Read more:

• Jannik Sinner explains why Madrid Open is a unique challenge
• How Elena Rybakina can overtake Sabalenka as world No.1
• Amanda Anisimova pulls out of Madrid Open with injury, replacement named