🔗 Share this article

When Daria Kasatkina concluded her 2025 season prematurely in October, the former world number eight explained how she had "encountered a barrier."

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

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, a double Wimbledon semi-final participant, had earlier declared she was not in "the mental space" to persist, while sitting Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz additionally are convinced the calendar is excessively lengthy.

This issue remains under discussion as the world's leading tennis players reconvene in Australia for the beginning of the 2026 season.

A somewhat extended off-season than 2025 has been greeted positively. Nonetheless, a handful of weeks is not considered sufficient time for adequate recovery before training starts for an season lasting nearly a year regarded as among the most onerous in professional sport.

"The demands of tennis are harder than ever before," said Dr. Robby Sikka, medical director at the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA).

"The duration of play has increased, players are faster, they're hitting the ball harder.

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

So what is being done and what additional measures could be taken?

Shortening the Season

The 2025 season covered 47 weeks for many men on tour, beginning with the United Cup team event in late December 2024 and finishing with the Davis Cup final in late November.

The women's season ended two weeks earlier when the tour finals concluded in early November. The governing body moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to help combat scheduling concerns.

The ATP Tour says it does not take the concerns of the players "lightly," while WTA leadership notes player welfare will "consistently be the foremost concern."

That did not appease the PTPA, which began legal action against the men's and women's tours in March, pointing to "restrictive policies and an obvious indifference to player health."

Restructuring the calendar is an clear answer but cannot be accomplished simply given the complex nature of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have major stakes.

"We must consider whether we can reclaim time at the end of the year for an longer break, or can we create space during the season so there is a brief respite," 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 thinks will lessen "the total burden" on the players.

"One point that often gets overlooked: players select their own tournament plans," remarked ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

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

Prolonging several required events across a fortnight - creating so-called 'super weeks' - has also been criticized.

"I believe competitors are more worn out mentally and physically because they're spending more days away," said Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

As well as mental burnout, there are concerns about the growing physical demands.

Players suffer more severe upper-body injuries in particular times of the year, according to player association statistics.

The organization says these "predictable clusters" are down to the structure of the calendar and the switches in court surfaces.

Fewer Late Nights & More Ball Consistency

When a high-profile game at the Australian Open ended in the middle of the night in 2023, it was expected to drive reform.

In 2024, the tours brought in a new rule preventing matches commencing later than 11pm.

But there have continued to be instances of matches concluding long after midnight - which medical experts insist.

"After a match concludes, an athlete's day isn't over," added Dr. Sikka.

"You have to do media, recover, work with the physiotherapist. Your day doesn't end at midnight.

"There is insufficient opportunity for the body and mind to heal. This is a unique demand in the sporting world."

Different tournaments playing with different balls - leading to changes in bounce and speed - has been cited as a source of increased upper body injuries.

"I've had a lot of injuries in my arm, my shoulder, my wrist," commented one top British player, "and I observe these types of injuries becoming more common."

A former US Open champion, who stepped away last year with an persistent wrist issue, thinks tournaments in the same seasonal segment should use one standard 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 incredibly useful to the players," he said.

The tours adopted 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 learn from how American team sports use data to inform the wellbeing of its stars.

Based on data-led analysis, the NFL demanded consistent playing surfaces and improved helmet technology to reduce 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.

"We've seen the economic model is skyrocketing because their games are so competitive and they're keeping players out on the field.

"Their financial commitment matches their rhetoric by protecting athletes and allocating major funds – that model is the benchmark."

Other leagues have enacted regulations aimed at protecting specific positions, limiting their throws at the professional level and putting age restrictions.

Some retired players believe the strain put on the upper body of tennis players from a very early stage is a key element in their injuries later on.

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

"Eventually, the wrist bears the brunt. 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 rising contingent 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 length of the season, longer competitions and match timing.

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

Support is not always forthcoming, though, given top players also participate in lucrative showcase matches.

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