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After Daria Kasatkina ended her 2025 season prematurely in October, the ex-top ten player detailed how she had "encountered a barrier."

"The itinerary is excessive. Psychologically and emotionally, I am drained, and, sadly, I'm not alone," she wrote.

The Ukrainian athlete Elina Svitolina, a double Wimbledon semi-final participant, had previously announced she was not in "the psychological condition" to persist, while current Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz also think the calendar is too long.

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

A slightly longer off-season than 2025 has been greeted positively. Nevertheless, a handful of weeks is not seen as sufficient time for thorough recovery before training starts for an season lasting nearly a year regarded as among the most grueling in professional sport.

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

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

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

So what measures are in place and what additional measures could be taken?

Shortening the Season

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

The WTA Tour season ended two weeks earlier when the WTA Finals concluded in early November. The ITF moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to address 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 "perpetually be the highest focus."

That did not appease the PTPA, which began legal action 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 obvious solution 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 reclaim time at the end of the year for an longer break, or can we allow for a pause during the season so there is a brief respite," noted 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 reduced the number of events which factor into the rankings for 2026, which it thinks will lessen "the cumulative strain" on the players.

"An aspect commonly missed: players determine their own playing calendar," remarked ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

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

Extending several compulsory competitions 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 away from home for extended periods," opined Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

Alongside mental burnout, there are worries 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 tour schedule layout and the switches in court surfaces.

Reducing Late Finishes & Standardizing Equipment

When a notable match at the Australian Open ended in the wee hours in 2023, it seemed set to trigger adjustments.

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

But there have persisted instances of matches concluding long after midnight - which medical experts cannot be allowed to be "romanticised".

"After a match concludes, an athlete's day isn't over," explained 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. This is a unique demand in the sporting world."

A lack of standardization in tournament equipment - leading to changes in weight and pace - has been identified as a source of a rise in 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 circuit should use one uniform 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 expect "full alignment" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

Athletic performance experts believe tennis must take cues from how American team sports use data to guide the welfare of its stars.

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

"The league has altered its regulations using concrete research," 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 ensuring star athletes are available.

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

Other leagues have implemented policies aimed at protecting specific positions, limiting their workload at the professional level and putting guidelines for juniors.

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 start playing from such an early age and have so many iterations 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."

Competitors Seek Adjustments - What Are the Key Issues?

An increasing number of players are becoming vocal about the demands placed on them.

Current world number ones are among a collection of elite athletes ramping up pressure on the Grand Slams with calls for a increased portion of tournament income, as well as meaningful consultation about the calendar extent, longer competitions and fixture planning.

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

Public understanding may be limited, though, given top players also participate in lucrative showcase matches.

One Grand Slam champion from Britain says the grind is a "difficulty" but thinks top players "complaining about the calendar" is not a good look.

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