ATP unveils ranking reforms and bigger bonuses from 2028

The ATP has announced sweeping ATP ranking reforms that will reshape how the men’s tennis world rankings are calculated from 2028, centre the tour more firmly on its Masters 1000 events and sharply increase bonus payments for players. The plans, unveiled in Paris on Thursday, are the governing body’s answer to growing complaints of burnout and overplaying.

Under the current system, players build their ranking from their best results across 19 regular-season tournaments, plus the eight-man ATP Finals if they qualify. They can also replace up to three of their weaker results from the eight mandatory 1000-level events with better performances from lower-tier ATP 500 or ATP 250 competitions.

What the ATP ranking reforms change

The proposal removes that escape hatch. Results from all Masters 1000 tournaments would count towards a player’s ranking in full, regardless of how they performed. The ATP said the change would let players plan their schedules around the biggest events instead of adding tournaments after an early loss to make up lost points.

“That can create pressure to add tournaments after an early loss to make up the points,” the ATP said in a Q&A on its website. “The proposals would remove this, so results at the biggest events count in full and players can plan their schedules around them rather than chasing points and risking overplaying.”

Burnout has become a running theme on the tour. World number one Jannik Sinner has not played since winning Wimbledon in July because of a knee injury — a layoff covered in our earlier report — while seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz was sidelined for large parts of 2026. The ATP said the demands of the season fall hardest on players who go deepest at the biggest events, and that even mid-ranked players struggle to protect recovery time when the system rewards adding one more tournament.

The governing body is also looking at weighting ranking points more favourably for players who go deep into tournaments, and at limiting how many ATP 250 results count towards the rankings of top players.

Bigger prize money on the table

The financial package is significant. Players ranked in the world’s top 250 would share a year-end rankings bonus worth $25 million, while the bonus pool for top-ranked players at 1000-level events would rise from $21.5 million to $50 million by 2028. ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said the proposals would take the tour’s annual central investment in player compensation and support past $100 million from 2028.

The announcement follows protests from several leading players, including Sinner, over prize money levels at this year’s French Open and Wimbledon. The ATP does not run the Grand Slams, but it is pushing ahead with its own compensation increases.

The tour also confirmed it will proceed with its controversial doubles reforms despite fierce pushback from doubles specialists. Draw sizes for doubles will shrink, with prize money redirected to the early rounds and qualifying of singles events.

What it means for the season ahead

The timing is pointed. With Alexander Zverev securing the year-end world number one ranking after Alcaraz’s early exit in Shanghai, the 2026 season has already exposed how fragile the top of the game has become. If the reforms are approved, the 2028 season will reward players who peak at the Masters 1000s — and punish those who skip them.

When do the ATP ranking reforms start?

The changes are planned for the 2028 season. The ATP unveiled the proposals in October 2026 and will consult players and tournaments before finalising them.

Will players still be able to skip Masters 1000 events?

They can skip them, but under the proposal the missed events can no longer be replaced with better results from smaller tournaments — every Masters 1000 result will count towards the ranking in full.

How much will bonuses increase?

The bonus pool at 1000-level events rises from $21.5 million to $50 million by 2028, and the top 250 players will share a $25 million year-end rankings bonus.

*Source: Geo Super (AFP)*