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After Daria Kasatkina ended her 2025 season early in October, the one-time elite competitor explained how she had "hit a wall."

"The calendar is overwhelming. Mentally and emotionally I'm at breaking point, and, sadly, I'm not alone," she wrote.

The Ukrainian athlete Elina Svitolina, a double Wimbledon semi-final participant, had already announced she was not in "the mental space" to continue, while sitting Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz furthermore think the calendar is excessively lengthy.

This subject is still being argued as the world's foremost tennis players gather again in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.

A somewhat extended off-season than 2025 has been welcomed. Nonetheless, a few weeks is not considered sufficient time for proper recovery before preparations begin 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," commented Dr. Robby Sikka, medical director at the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA).

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

"We have a duty to safeguard our athletes and give them a more sustainable sport."

So what is being done and what further steps could be taken?

Shortening the Season

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

The WTA Tour season finished 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.

ATP officials claim it does not take the concerns of the players "without seriousness," while WTA leadership notes player welfare will "perpetually be the highest focus."

That did not appease the PTPA, which initiated a lawsuit against the men's and women's tours in March, citing "anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare."

Revamping the calendar is an clear answer but cannot be accomplished simply given the intricate web of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have major stakes.

"We need to think about whether we can reclaim time at the end of the year for an more substantial rest period, 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 are included in the rankings for 2026, which it believes will diminish "overall demands" 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 - recognizing the right time to play and the right time to heal."

Prolonging several mandatory tournaments across a fortnight - creating so-called 'extended events' - has also been faulted.

"I believe competitors are more worn out mentally and physically because they're away from home for extended periods," opined Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

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

Players suffer more severe upper-body injuries in certain months, according to PTPA research.

The organization says these "predictable clusters" are down to the seasonal itinerary and the switches in court surfaces.

Minimizing Midnight Matches & Uniform Balls

When a high-profile game at the Australian Open finished in the early hours in 2023, it was expected to drive reform.

In 2024, the tours introduced 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".

"When you are done playing you just don't go home," 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. There is no other sport which mandates that."

A lack of standardization in tournament equipment - leading to changes in weight and pace - has been cited as a source of increased upper body injuries.

"I have suffered numerous arm, shoulder, and wrist issues," 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 ongoing wrist injury, believes tournaments in the same seasonal segment should use one standard ball.

"This should be a straightforward solution - 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 moved towards a more unified ball-approval process during 2025 and project "total consistency" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

Athletic performance experts believe tennis must emulate how American team sports use data to guide the wellbeing of its stars.

Using data-led analysis, the NFL demanded consistent playing surfaces and improved helmet technology to lessen 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 keeping players out on the field.

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

Other leagues have introduced rules aimed at protecting specific positions, limiting their exertion 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 major contributor in their injuries later on.

"We pick up a racket as kids 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."

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

An growing group of players are becoming vocal 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 larger share of revenue, as well as genuine dialogue about the length of the season, longer competitions and match timing.

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

Support is not always forthcoming, though, given top players occasionally sign up for lucrative showcase matches.

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

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