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After Daria Kasatkina cut short her 2025 season prematurely in October, the ex-top ten player explained how she had "reached her limit."

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

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had earlier declared she was not in "the psychological condition" to persist, while sitting Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz additionally think the calendar is excessively lengthy.

This subject is still being argued as the world's foremost tennis players reconvene in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.

A somewhat extended off-season than 2025 has been welcomed. However, several weeks is not considered enough time for adequate rest before training starts for an season lasting nearly a year regarded as among the most grueling 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).

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

"We have a duty to safeguard our athletes and give them a more manageable sport."

So what actions are being taken and what additional measures could be enacted?

Shortening the Season

The 2025 season spanned 47 weeks for many players on the ATP circuit, 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 ended two weeks earlier when the WTA Finals finished in early November. The International Tennis Federation moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to alleviate scheduling concerns.

The ATP Tour says it does not take the concerns of the players "casually," while WTA leadership notes player welfare will "consistently be the foremost concern."

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

Restructuring the calendar is an clear answer but cannot be implemented readily given the complex nature of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have significant influence.

"We must consider 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 mini-break," added 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 cut the number of events which are included in the rankings for 2026, which it is confident will reduce "overall demands" on the players.

"One point that often gets overlooked: players select their own tournament plans," stated ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

"That freedom is rare in professional sport. But with that comes obligation - understanding when to compete and when to rest."

Prolonging several required events across a fortnight - creating so-called 'super weeks' - 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.

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

Players suffer more severe upper-body injuries in specific periods, according to available data.

The organization says these "foreseeable patterns" are down to the structure of the calendar and the turnarounds between court surfaces.

Minimizing Midnight Matches & Uniform Balls

When a notable match at the Australian Open ended in the wee hours in 2023, it promised to spark change.

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

But there have persisted instances of matches finishing well past midnight - which medical experts insist.

"Once the final point is played, a player's duties continue," added 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. 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 a rise in upper body injuries.

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

A former US Open champion, who ended his career last year with an chronic wrist problem, argues tournaments in the same circuit should use one uniform 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 standardized equipment policy during 2025 and project "full alignment" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

Athletic performance experts believe tennis must take cues from how American team sports use data to direct the welfare of its stars.

Following data-led analysis, the NFL mandated 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.

"The financial returns have increased dramatically 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 exemplar."

Other leagues have implemented policies aimed at protecting throwers, limiting their throws at the professional level and putting guidelines for juniors.

Some retired players believe the stress 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."

Competitors Seek Adjustments - What Are the Key Issues?

An growing group of players are becoming vocal 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 genuine dialogue about the calendar extent, longer competitions and fixture planning.

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

Public understanding may be limited, though, given top players also participate in lucrative non-tour contests.

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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