🔗 Share this article

After Daria Kasatkina cut short her 2025 season prematurely in October, the one-time elite competitor 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 wrote.

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, a former Wimbledon final four contender, had already declared she was not in "the right headspace" to carry on, while sitting Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz also believe the calendar is excessively lengthy.

This issue continues to be debated as the world's top tennis players assemble once more in Australia for the commencement of the 2026 season.

A marginally increased off-season than 2025 has been received well. However, several weeks is not considered sufficient time for adequate recuperation before preparations begin for an season lasting nearly a year considered among the most demanding in professional sport.

"The demands of tennis are harder than ever before," 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 covered 47 weeks for many male competitors, starting with the United Cup team event in late December 2024 and concluding with the Davis Cup final in late November.

The women's circuit concluded two weeks earlier when the season-ending championships finished in early November. The International Tennis Federation 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 the WTA Tour says player welfare will "always remain a top priority."

That failed to satisfy the PTPA, which initiated a lawsuit against the men's and women's tours in March, pointing to "unfair practices and a clear neglect of athlete well-being."

Overhauling the calendar is an clear answer but cannot be implemented readily given the complicated structure of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have controlling interests.

"We need to think about whether we can create more time at the end of the year for an longer break, or can we buy time during the season so there is a mini-break," noted 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 cut the number of events which count towards the rankings for 2026, which it is confident will lessen "the total burden" on the players.

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

"This level of choice is unusual in pro sports. But with that comes responsibility - knowing when to push and when to recover."

Stretching several required events across a fortnight - creating so-called 'extended events' - has also been criticized.

"In my view, athletes are more psychologically drained and exhausted because they're being on the road longer," said Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

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

Players suffer more severe upper-body injuries in certain months, according to available data.

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

Reducing Late Finishes & Standardizing Equipment

When a memorable contest at the Australian Open concluded in the wee hours in 2023, it promised to spark change.

In 2024, the tours introduced a new rule stopping matches starting after 11pm.

But there have still been instances of matches ending deep into the night - which medical experts insist.

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

"You have to do media, recover, work with the physiotherapist. Your day extends well beyond the match.

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

A lack of standardization in tournament equipment - leading to changes in feel and performance - has been identified as a source of a rise in upper body injuries.

"I have suffered numerous arm, shoulder, and wrist issues," said one top British player, "and I'm seeing more and more of these injuries across the tours."

A former US Open champion, who retired last year with an persistent wrist issue, argues tournaments in the same seasonal segment should use one type of 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 moved towards a more standardized equipment policy during 2025 and expect "full alignment" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

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

Using data-led analysis, the NFL demanded consistent playing surfaces and advanced helmet technology to reduce 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 maintaining a healthy roster.

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

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

Some retired players believe the load put on the upper body of tennis players from a tender age is a significant factor 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.

"At some point it goes on the wrist. Way more players have problems with the wrist. I think the problem is the many, many repetitions."

Athletes Are Pushing for Reform - What Are Their Demands?

An increasing number of players are speaking out 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 larger share of revenue, as well as meaningful consultation about the length of the season, 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 next campaign.

Public understanding may be limited, though, given top players sometimes commit to lucrative showcase matches.

One Grand Slam champion from Britain says the daily routine is a "test" but thinks top players "moaning about the calendar" is not a good look.

"{Uniform