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After Daria Kasatkina concluded her 2025 season ahead of schedule in October, the former world number eight explained how she had "encountered a barrier."

"The schedule is too much. My mental and emotional state is frayed, and, sadly, I'm not alone," she wrote.

The Ukrainian athlete Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had earlier announced she was not in "the mental space" to persist, while reigning Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz furthermore are convinced the calendar is too long.

The topic is still being argued as the world's foremost tennis players assemble once more in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.

A somewhat extended off-season than 2025 has been received well. However, a handful of weeks is not seen as sufficient time for proper rest before training starts for an eleven-month schedule seen as among the most demanding in professional sport.

"Tennis places greater strain on athletes now than it ever has," stated Dr. Robby Sikka, medical director 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 measures are in place and what next actions could be implemented?

Reducing the Calendar Length

The 2025 season spanned 47 weeks for many male competitors, starting with the United Cup team event in late December 2024 and concluding with the Davis Cup final in late November.

The women's season finished two weeks earlier when the season-ending championships concluded in early November. The International Tennis Federation moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to help combat scheduling concerns.

ATP officials claim it does not take the concerns of the players "casually," while the women's tour asserts player welfare will "always remain a top priority."

That failed to satisfy the PTPA, which commenced proceedings against the men's and women's tours in March, pointing to "anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare."

Overhauling the calendar is an apparent fix 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.

"We must consider whether we can create more time at the end of the year for an longer break, or can we create space during the season so there is a mini-break," 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 decreased the number of events which factor into the rankings for 2026, which it thinks will lessen "the total burden" on the players.

"One point that often gets overlooked: players choose their own schedules," commented ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

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

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

"I think players are more mentally tired and more fatigued because they're away from home for extended periods," said Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

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

Players are more prone to upper-body injuries in certain months, according to available data.

The organization says these "anticipated spikes" are down to the structure of the calendar and the transitions between court surfaces.

Fewer Late Nights & More Ball Consistency

When a memorable contest at the Australian Open ended in the early hours in 2023, it seemed set to trigger adjustments.

In 2024, the tours brought in a new rule preventing matches beginning past 11pm.

But there have continued to be instances of matches ending deep into the night - which medical experts cannot be allowed to be "romanticised".

"When you are done playing you just don't go home," said Dr. Sikka.

"Media interviews, rehabilitation, and treatment are required. Your day doesn't end at midnight.

"Your body, brain and nerves don't have chance to recover. There is no other sport which mandates that."

A lack of standardization in tournament equipment - leading to changes in feel and performance - has been pointed to as a source of increased upper body injuries.

"I've had a lot of injuries in my arm, my shoulder, my wrist," said one top British player, "and such ailments are increasingly prevalent among peers."

A former US Open champion, who retired last year with an persistent wrist issue, argues tournaments in the same circuit should use one type of 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 centralized ball-selection system during 2025 and anticipate "total consistency" in the coming years.

Learn from NFL & Protect Young Players

Medical researchers believe tennis must learn from how American team sports use data to inform the welfare of its stars.

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

"We've seen the economic model is skyrocketing 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 benchmark."

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

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.

"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 increasing number of players are speaking out about the demands placed on them.

Current world number ones are among a group of stars 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, extended events and scheduling.

Last year, a top-ten American player said it was "absurd" 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 showcase matches.

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

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