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

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

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, a former Wimbledon final four contender, had previously declared she was not in "the mental space" to persist, while sitting Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz also think the calendar is overly extended.

The topic remains under discussion as the world's top tennis players gather again in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.

A slightly longer off-season than 2025 has been received well. However, several weeks is not seen as enough time for proper recovery before training starts for an eleven-month schedule considered among the most grueling 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).

"Matches and rallies are longer, 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 further steps could be enacted?

Reducing the Calendar Length

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 ending with the Davis Cup final in late November.

The women's season ended two weeks earlier when the WTA Finals concluded in early November. The governing body moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to address scheduling concerns.

ATP officials claim it does not take the concerns of the players "without seriousness," while the women's tour asserts player welfare will "always remain a top priority."

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

Revamping the calendar is an clear answer 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 longer break, or can we create space during the season so there is a brief respite," noted Dr. Sikka.

Former world number one Andy Roddick, a vocal proponent of reform, 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 thinks will reduce "the total burden" on the players.

"A factor frequently ignored: players determine their own playing calendar," stated ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

"Such autonomy is uncommon in elite athletics. But with that comes responsibility - understanding when to compete and when to rest."

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

"In my view, athletes are more psychologically drained and exhausted because they're spending more days away," stated Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

In addition to mental burnout, there are concerns about the growing physical demands.

Players are more prone to upper-body injuries in specific periods, according to available data.

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

Reducing Late Finishes & Standardizing Equipment

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

In 2024, the tours introduced a new rule stopping matches beginning past 11pm.

But there have persisted instances of matches ending deep into the night - which medical experts insist.

"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. No other major sport imposes such conditions."

A lack of standardization in tournament equipment - leading to changes in bounce and speed - has been pointed to as a source of more frequent upper body injuries.

"I have suffered numerous arm, shoulder, and wrist issues," commented one top British player, "and I'm seeing more and more of these injuries across the tours."

A former US Open champion, who stepped away last year with an chronic wrist problem, thinks tournaments in the same circuit 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 really helpful to the players," he said.

The tours began using a more standardized equipment policy during 2025 and project "full alignment" 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 guide the wellbeing of its stars.

Using data-led analysis, the NFL required consistent playing surfaces and advanced helmet technology to reduce 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.

"We've seen the economic model is skyrocketing because their games are so competitive and they're ensuring star athletes are available.

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

Other leagues have enacted regulations aimed at protecting pitchers, limiting their throws at the professional level and putting guidelines for juniors.

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.

"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 rising contingent 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 calendar extent, extended events and fixture planning.

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 occasionally sign up for lucrative non-tour contests.

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

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