🔗 Share this article

After Daria Kasatkina concluded her 2025 season prematurely in October, the former world number eight described how she had "hit a wall."

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

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had already revealed she was not in "the right headspace" to continue, while current Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz also think the calendar is too long.

This issue remains under discussion as the world's foremost tennis players gather again in Australia for the commencement of the 2026 season.

A slightly longer off-season than 2025 has been welcomed. However, a few weeks is not regarded as enough time for proper rest before work commences for an eleven-month schedule seen as among the most grueling in professional sport.

"The physical requirements of tennis are more intense than in the past," commented Dr. Robby Sikka, head of medicine at the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA).

"Matches and rallies are longer, players are faster, they're hitting the ball harder.

"It is our obligation to shield the competitors and give them a more manageable sport."

So what actions are being taken and what further steps could be taken?

Reducing the Calendar Length

The 2025 season lasted 47 weeks for many players on the ATP circuit, commencing with the United Cup team event in late December 2024 and ending with the Davis Cup final in late November.

The women's season ended two weeks earlier when the WTA Finals wrapped up in early November. The ITF moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to address scheduling concerns.

ATP officials claim it does not take the concerns of the players "without seriousness," while the WTA Tour says 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, citing "unfair practices and a clear neglect of athlete well-being."

Overhauling the calendar is an apparent fix but cannot be accomplished simply given the complicated structure of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have major stakes.

"We must consider whether we can create more time at the end of the year for an extended off season, or can we buy time during the season so there is a mini-break," said Dr. Sikka.

Former world number one Andy Roddick, a vocal proponent of reform, says the season should not go past 1 November.

The ATP Tour has reduced the number of events which factor into the rankings for 2026, which it is confident will lessen "overall demands" on the players.

"A factor frequently ignored: players choose their own schedules," remarked ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

"This level of choice is unusual in pro sports. But with that comes accountability - understanding when to compete and when to rest."

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

"In my view, athletes are more psychologically drained and exhausted 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 concerns about the growing physical demands.

Players experience a higher rate of upper-body injuries in certain months, according to PTPA research.

The organization says these "anticipated spikes" are down to the structure of the calendar and the turnarounds between court surfaces.

Minimizing Midnight Matches & Uniform Balls

When a high-profile game at the Australian Open finished in the middle of the night in 2023, it promised to spark change.

In 2024, the tours introduced a new rule prohibiting matches beginning past 11pm.

But there have continued to be instances of matches finishing well past midnight - which medical experts cannot be allowed to be "romanticised".

"When you are done playing you just don't go home," added Dr. Sikka.

"Media interviews, rehabilitation, and treatment are required. Your day doesn't finish until much later.

"The physical and neurological systems lack adequate time to recuperate. No other major sport imposes such conditions."

The use of varying balls at different events - leading to changes in feel and performance - has been pointed to as a source of increased upper body injuries.

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

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.

"This should be a straightforward solution - 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 expect "complete uniformity" in the coming years.

Learn from NFL & Protect Young Players

Medical researchers believe tennis must learn from how American team sports use data to inform the wellbeing of its stars.

Using data-led analysis, the NFL mandated consistent playing surfaces and enhanced helmet technology to minimize the risk of injury.

"American football has implemented numerous reforms driven by data," 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 ensuring star athletes are available.

"They're putting their money where their mouth is by protecting athletes and investing hugely – that model is the exemplar."

Other leagues have implemented policies aimed at protecting pitchers, limiting their exertion at the professional level and putting age restrictions.

Some retired players believe the strain put on the upper body of tennis players from a young age is a major contributor in their injuries later on.

"Training begins in childhood and have so many repetitions 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."

Players 'Motivated' for Change - What Do They Want?

An increasing number of players are speaking out about the demands placed on them.

Current world number ones are among a collection of elite athletes 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, 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.

Public understanding may be limited, though, given top players also participate in lucrative non-tour contests.

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

"{Uniform