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After Daria Kasatkina concluded her 2025 season early in October, the former world number eight detailed how she had "encountered a barrier."

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

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had previously declared she was not in "the psychological condition" to carry on, while sitting Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz also are convinced the calendar is excessively lengthy.

The topic continues to be debated as the world's leading tennis players gather again in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.

A slightly longer off-season than 2025 has been received well. Nonetheless, a handful of weeks is not considered sufficient time for proper recuperation before work commences for an eleven-month schedule regarded as among the most onerous in professional sport.

"The demands of tennis are harder than ever before," said Dr. Robby Sikka, chief medical officer 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 manageable sport."

So what actions are being taken and what next actions could be implemented?

Shortening the Season

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

The women's circuit finished two weeks earlier when the season-ending championships wrapped up in early November. The International Tennis Federation 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 WTA leadership notes player welfare will "consistently be the foremost concern."

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 achieved easily given the complex nature of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have controlling interests.

"It is crucial to evaluate whether we can buy back 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 short hiatus," 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 are included in the rankings for 2026, which it is confident will lessen "the total burden" on the players.

"A factor frequently ignored: players select their own tournament plans," remarked ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

"Such autonomy is uncommon in elite athletics. But with that comes responsibility - knowing when to push and when to recover."

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

"I think players are more mentally tired and more fatigued because they're spending more days away," opined Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

As well as mental burnout, there are apprehensions about the rising 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 turnarounds between court surfaces.

Reducing Late Finishes & Standardizing Equipment

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

In 2024, the tours introduced a new rule prohibiting matches commencing later than 11pm.

But there have persisted instances of matches concluding long after midnight - which medical experts insist.

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

"There are press obligations, recovery sessions, and physio appointments. Your day doesn't end at midnight.

"There is insufficient opportunity for the body and mind to heal. There is no other sport which mandates that."

The use of varying balls at different events - leading to changes in bounce and speed - 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 observe these types of injuries becoming more common."

A former US Open champion, who retired last year with an persistent wrist issue, argues tournaments in the same swing 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 extremely beneficial to the players," he said.

The tours began using a more unified ball-approval process during 2025 and anticipate "complete uniformity" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

Sports scientists believe tennis must emulate how American team sports use data to inform the welfare of its stars.

Using data-led analysis, the NFL demanded consistent playing surfaces and advanced 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 investing hugely – that model is the benchmark."

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

Some retired players believe the strain put on the upper body of tennis players from a very early stage is a key element 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.

"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 applying force on the Grand Slams with calls for a increased portion of tournament income, as well as meaningful consultation about the tour schedule duration, extended events and scheduling.

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

Sympathy can be in short supply, though, given top players sometimes commit to lucrative non-tour contests.

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

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