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When Daria Kasatkina cut short her 2025 season prematurely in October, the former world number eight explained how she had "hit a wall."

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

The Ukrainian athlete Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had previously revealed she was not in "the right headspace" to continue, while reigning Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz additionally are convinced the calendar is excessively lengthy.

This subject 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 greeted positively. Nevertheless, several weeks is not considered adequate time for adequate recuperation before preparations begin for an season lasting nearly a year considered among the most onerous in professional sport.

"The physical requirements of tennis are more intense than in the past," commented Dr. Robby Sikka, head of medicine at the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA).

"The duration of play has increased, players are faster, they're hitting the ball harder.

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

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

Condensing the Tour Schedule

The 2025 season lasted 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 circuit finished two weeks earlier when the tour finals wrapped up in early November. The ITF moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to address scheduling concerns.

The men's tour states it does not take the concerns of the players "without seriousness," while the WTA Tour says player welfare will "perpetually be the highest focus."

That failed to satisfy the PTPA, which commenced proceedings against the men's and women's tours in March, referencing "unfair practices and a clear neglect of athlete well-being."

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

"It is crucial to evaluate whether we can reclaim time at the end of the year for an more substantial rest period, or can we buy time during the season so there is a mini-break," said 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 reduced the number of events which count towards the rankings for 2026, which it believes will reduce "the cumulative strain" on the players.

"An aspect commonly missed: players determine their own playing calendar," remarked ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

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

Prolonging several required events across a fortnight - creating so-called 'super weeks' - has also been questioned.

"In my view, athletes are more psychologically drained and exhausted because they're away from home for extended periods," said 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 particular times of the year, according to PTPA research.

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

Fewer Late Nights & More Ball Consistency

When a memorable contest at the Australian Open ended in the middle of the night in 2023, it seemed set to trigger adjustments.

In 2024, the tours introduced a new rule preventing matches starting after 11pm.

But there have continued to be instances of matches ending deep into the night - which medical experts argue must not be glorified.

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

"There are press obligations, recovery sessions, and physio appointments. Your day doesn't finish until much later.

"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 identified as a source of more frequent upper body injuries.

"I've had a lot of injuries in my arm, my shoulder, my wrist," stated 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 standard ball.

"It shouldn't be too difficult - 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 adopted a more centralized ball-selection system during 2025 and expect "full alignment" in the coming years.

Emulate American Sports & Safeguard Juniors

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

Following data-led analysis, the NFL demanded consistent playing surfaces and enhanced 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 maintaining a healthy roster.

"They are investing heavily in their stated goals by protecting athletes and investing hugely – that model is the exemplar."

Other leagues have implemented policies aimed at protecting specific positions, limiting their exertion at the professional level and putting limits for young players.

Some retired players believe the stress 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."

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

An rising contingent 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 bigger piece of the financial pie, as well as meaningful consultation about the tour schedule duration, elongated tournaments and match timing.

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

Sympathy can be in short supply, though, given top players sometimes commit to lucrative showcase matches.

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

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