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When Daria Kasatkina concluded her 2025 season prematurely in October, the ex-top ten player explained how she had "encountered a barrier."

"The schedule is too much. Psychologically and emotionally, I am drained, and, regrettably, I'm not alone," she stated.

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, a former Wimbledon final four contender, had earlier declared she was not in "the mental space" to persist, while current Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz additionally are convinced the calendar is overly extended.

This issue is still being argued as the world's foremost tennis players assemble once more in Australia for the commencement of the 2026 season.

A slightly longer off-season than 2025 has been greeted positively. Nonetheless, a few weeks is not seen as enough time for adequate rest before preparations begin for an eleven-month schedule considered among the most demanding in professional sport.

"The demands of tennis are harder than ever before," stated Dr. Robby Sikka, head of medicine at the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA).

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

"We owe it to our players to protect them and give them a more sustainable sport."

So what actions are being taken and what further steps could be taken?

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 finishing with the Davis Cup final in late November.

The WTA Tour season finished two weeks earlier when the WTA Finals concluded 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 "casually," while the women's tour asserts 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, referencing "anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare."

Revamping the calendar is an clear answer but cannot be implemented readily given the complicated structure of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have controlling interests.

"We need to think about whether we can create more 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 short hiatus," noted Dr. Sikka.

Former world number one Andy Roddick, a consistent campaigner for adjustments, 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 reduce "the cumulative strain" on the players.

"A factor frequently ignored: players select their own tournament plans," stated 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 'extended events' - has also been faulted.

"I believe competitors are more worn out mentally and physically 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 increased physical demands.

Players suffer more severe upper-body injuries in certain months, according to player association statistics.

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

Fewer Late Nights & More Ball Consistency

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

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

But there have still been 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.

"You have to do media, recover, work with the physiotherapist. Your day extends well beyond the match.

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

The use of varying balls at different events - leading to changes in feel and performance - has been cited as a source of increased upper body injuries.

"I have suffered numerous arm, shoulder, and wrist issues," stated 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 persistent wrist issue, argues tournaments in the same swing 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 standardized equipment policy during 2025 and expect "complete uniformity" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

Sports scientists believe tennis must learn from how American team sports use data to inform the wellbeing of its stars.

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

"We've seen the economic model is skyrocketing because their games are so competitive and they're keeping players out on the field.

"Their financial commitment matches their rhetoric by protecting athletes and allocating major funds – that model is the gold standard."

Other leagues have implemented policies 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 major contributor in their injuries later on.

"We pick up a racket as kids and have so many repetitions 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."

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 group of stars increasing demands on the Grand Slams with calls for a increased portion of tournament income, as well as substantive discussions about the tour schedule duration, elongated tournaments 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.

Support is not always forthcoming, though, given top players also participate in lucrative exhibition events.

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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