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After Daria Kasatkina ended her 2025 season ahead of schedule in October, the one-time elite competitor detailed how she had "encountered a barrier."

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

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had already announced she was not in "the mental space" to continue, while reigning Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz furthermore are convinced the calendar is overly extended.

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

A marginally increased off-season than 2025 has been greeted positively. Nonetheless, a handful of weeks is not regarded as adequate time for proper recovery before preparations begin for an season lasting nearly a year considered among the most grueling in professional sport.

"The physical requirements of tennis are more intense than in the past," said 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.

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

So what actions are being taken and what additional measures could be implemented?

Reducing the Calendar Length

The 2025 season lasted 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 WTA Tour season concluded two weeks earlier when the tour finals finished in early November. The governing body moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to alleviate scheduling concerns.

The men's tour states it does not take the concerns of the players "casually," while WTA leadership notes player welfare will "always remain a top priority."

That did not appease the PTPA, which commenced proceedings against the men's and women's tours in March, pointing to "unfair practices and a clear neglect of athlete well-being."

Revamping the calendar is an apparent fix 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 extended off season, or can we allow for a pause during the season so there is a brief respite," added Dr. Sikka.

Former world number one Andy Roddick, a long-time advocate for change, 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 thinks will diminish "the cumulative strain" on the players.

"An aspect commonly missed: players select their own tournament plans," remarked ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

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

Extending several required events across a fortnight - creating so-called 'mini Slams' - has also been faulted.

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

Alongside mental burnout, there are worries about the growing physical demands.

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

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

Minimizing Midnight Matches & Uniform Balls

When a notable match at the Australian Open finished in the early hours in 2023, it was expected to drive reform.

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

But there have still been instances of matches concluding long after midnight - which medical experts argue must not be glorified.

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

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

"Your body, brain and nerves don't have chance to recover. No other major sport imposes such conditions."

Different tournaments playing with different balls - leading to changes in feel and performance - has been identified as a source of more frequent upper body injuries.

"My career has been plagued by injuries to the arm and wrist," commented one top British player, "and I observe these types of injuries becoming more common."

A former US Open champion, who retired last year with an chronic wrist problem, thinks tournaments in the same seasonal segment should use one type of ball.

"It shouldn't be too difficult - the same ball for clay, the same for hard and the same for grass. That would be really helpful 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

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

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

"Their commercial success has soared because their games are so competitive and they're keeping players out on the field.

"They're putting their money where their mouth is by protecting athletes and devoting significant resources – that model is the gold standard."

Other leagues have introduced rules aimed at protecting pitchers, limiting their throws at the professional level and putting age restrictions.

Some retired players believe the stress put on the upper body of tennis players from a tender age is a significant factor in their injuries later on.

"We pick up a racket as kids and have so many countless swings 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 growing group of players are speaking out about the demands placed on them.

Current world number ones are among a group of stars applying force on the Grand Slams with calls for a increased portion of tournament income, as well as substantive discussions about the calendar extent, elongated tournaments 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 upcoming tour.

Sympathy can be in short supply, 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 "complaining about the calendar" is not a good look.

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