🔗 Share this article

After Daria Kasatkina ended her 2025 season early in October, the former world number eight detailed how she had "reached her limit."

"The schedule is too much. Psychologically and emotionally, I am drained, and, unfortunately, I'm not alone," she expressed.

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, a double Wimbledon semi-final participant, had previously declared she was not in "the psychological condition" to persist, while current Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz also think the calendar is overly extended.

This issue is still being argued as the world's foremost tennis players gather again in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.

A marginally increased off-season than 2025 has been welcomed. However, several weeks is not regarded as adequate time for proper rest before work commences for an 11-month campaign regarded as among the most onerous in professional sport.

"Tennis places greater strain on athletes now than it ever has," stated Dr. Robby Sikka, medical director at the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA).

"Points and games are more extended, players are faster, they're hitting the ball harder.

"We owe it to our players to protect them and give them a more manageable sport."

So what actions are being taken and what next actions could be taken?

Reducing the Calendar Length

The 2025 season spanned 47 weeks for many male competitors, commencing with the United Cup team event in late December 2024 and concluding with the Davis Cup final in late November.

The WTA Tour season finished two weeks earlier when the season-ending championships finished in early November. The ITF moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to alleviate scheduling concerns.

The ATP Tour says it does not take the concerns of the players "without seriousness," while WTA leadership notes player welfare will "always remain a top priority."

That did not appease the PTPA, which initiated a lawsuit against the men's and women's tours in March, pointing to "anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare."

Restructuring the calendar is an obvious solution but cannot be implemented readily given the complex nature of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have controlling interests.

"It is crucial to evaluate whether we can create more time at the end of the year for an extended off season, or can we allow for a pause during the season so there is a mini-break," said Dr. Sikka.

Former world number one Andy Roddick, a consistent campaigner for adjustments, says the season should not go past 1 November.

The ATP Tour has decreased the number of events which count towards the rankings for 2026, which it is confident will reduce "overall demands" on the players.

"A factor frequently ignored: players determine their own playing calendar," commented ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

"Such autonomy is uncommon in elite athletics. But with that comes obligation - knowing when to push and when to recover."

Extending several compulsory competitions across a fortnight - creating so-called 'mini Slams' - has also been questioned.

"I believe competitors are more worn out mentally and physically because they're being on the road longer," stated Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

In addition to mental burnout, there are worries about the growing physical demands.

Players suffer more severe upper-body injuries in certain months, according to player association statistics.

The organization says these "anticipated spikes" are down to the tour schedule layout and the switches in court surfaces.

Fewer Late Nights & More Ball Consistency

When a notable match at the Australian Open ended in the early hours in 2023, it promised to spark change.

In 2024, the tours implemented a new rule preventing matches starting after 11pm.

But there have persisted instances of matches concluding long after midnight - which medical experts cannot be allowed to be "romanticised".

"Once the final point is played, a player's duties continue," added Dr. Sikka.

"There are press obligations, recovery sessions, and physio appointments. Your day extends well beyond the match.

"There is insufficient opportunity for the body and mind to heal. There is no other sport which mandates that."

The use of varying balls at different events - leading to changes in weight and pace - has been identified as a source of more frequent upper body injuries.

"I have suffered numerous arm, shoulder, and wrist issues," commented one top British player, "and such ailments are increasingly prevalent among peers."

A former US Open champion, who ended his career last year with an persistent wrist issue, thinks tournaments in the same seasonal segment should use one uniform ball.

"Implementing this would not be overly complex - the same ball for clay, the same for hard and the same for grass. That would be extremely beneficial to the players," he said.

The tours began using a more standardized equipment policy during 2025 and anticipate "total consistency" in the coming years.

Emulate American Sports & Safeguard Juniors

Athletic performance experts believe tennis must emulate how American team sports use data to guide the wellbeing of its stars.

Based on data-led analysis, the NFL demanded consistent playing surfaces and improved helmet technology to minimize the risk of injury.

"The NFL has made many rule changes based on empirical evidence," said an analytics expert whose firm provides data to monitor player welfare.

"The financial returns have increased dramatically because their games are so competitive and they're keeping players out on the field.

"They are investing heavily in their stated goals by protecting athletes and investing hugely – that model is the exemplar."

Other leagues have introduced rules aimed at protecting pitchers, limiting their workload at the professional level and putting guidelines for juniors.

Some retired players believe the load put on the upper body of tennis players from a young age is a key element in their injuries later on.

"We start playing from such an early age and have so many countless swings of our groundstrokes," said the former champion.

"Over time, the wrist suffers the consequences. Way more players have problems with the wrist. I think the problem is the many, many repetitions."

Competitors Seek Adjustments - What Are the Key Issues?

An growing group of players are becoming vocal about the demands placed on them.

Current world number ones are among a group of stars increasing demands on the Grand Slams with calls for a increased portion of tournament income, as well as meaningful consultation about the tour schedule duration, extended events and fixture planning.

Last year, a top-ten American player said it was "unreasonable" he was only able to take one week off before the upcoming tour.

Public understanding may be limited, though, given top players occasionally sign up for lucrative non-tour contests.

One Grand Slam champion from Britain says the relentless travel is a "difficulty" but thinks top players "complaining about the calendar" is not a good look.

"{Uniform