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

"The calendar is overwhelming. Psychologically and emotionally, I am drained, and, regrettably, I'm not alone," she wrote.

The Ukrainian athlete Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had previously revealed she was not in "the right headspace" to continue, while current Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz furthermore believe the calendar is overly extended.

This issue continues to be debated as the world's leading tennis players gather again in Australia for the beginning of the 2026 season.

A slightly longer off-season than 2025 has been received well. Nonetheless, several weeks is not seen as enough time for proper recuperation before preparations begin for an season lasting nearly a year seen as among the most grueling in professional sport.

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

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

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

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

Reducing the Calendar Length

The 2025 season spanned 47 weeks for many male competitors, beginning 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 season-ending championships wrapped up 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 "casually," while the women's tour asserts player welfare will "consistently be the foremost concern."

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

Revamping the calendar is an apparent fix but cannot be implemented readily given the complicated structure of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have significant influence.

"We need to think about whether we can buy back 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 cut the number of events which factor into the rankings for 2026, which it believes will diminish "the total burden" 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 obligation - understanding when to compete and when to rest."

Stretching several mandatory tournaments across a fortnight - creating so-called 'mini Slams' - has also been criticized.

"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.

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 player association statistics.

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

Minimizing Midnight Matches & Uniform Balls

When a high-profile game at the Australian Open ended in the middle of the night in 2023, it seemed set to trigger adjustments.

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

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

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

"Media interviews, rehabilitation, and treatment are required. Your day extends well beyond the match.

"There is insufficient opportunity for the body and mind to heal. No other major sport imposes such conditions."

Different tournaments playing with different balls - leading to changes in bounce and speed - has been identified as a source of more frequent 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 ended his career last year with an persistent wrist issue, argues tournaments in the same swing 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 began using a more unified ball-approval process during 2025 and anticipate "full alignment" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

Sports scientists believe tennis must take cues from how American team sports use data to inform the wellbeing of its stars.

Following data-led analysis, the NFL demanded consistent playing surfaces and enhanced 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.

"The financial returns have increased dramatically because their games are so competitive and they're ensuring star athletes are available.

"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 throwers, 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 young age is a major contributor 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 growing group of players are finding their voice about the demands placed on them.

Current world number ones are among a coalition of top players applying force on the Grand Slams with calls for a increased portion of tournament income, as well as substantive discussions about the tour schedule duration, extended events and match timing.

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

Support is not always forthcoming, though, given top players also participate in lucrative non-tour contests.

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

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