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When Daria Kasatkina concluded her 2025 season prematurely in October, the ex-top ten player detailed how she had "reached her limit."

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

The Ukrainian athlete Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had previously revealed she was not in "the psychological condition" to continue, while reigning Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz additionally think the calendar is overly extended.

The topic is still being argued as the world's leading tennis players gather again in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.

A marginally increased off-season than 2025 has been welcomed. Nonetheless, several weeks is not seen as enough time for adequate rest before preparations begin for an season lasting nearly a year seen as among the most demanding in professional sport.

"Tennis places greater strain on athletes now than it ever has," stated Dr. Robby Sikka, chief medical officer at the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA).

"The duration of play has increased, 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 next actions could be taken?

Shortening the Season

The 2025 season lasted 47 weeks for many male competitors, 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 ended two weeks earlier when the season-ending championships concluded in early November. The ITF 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 "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, pointing to "restrictive policies and an obvious indifference to player health."

Restructuring the calendar is an obvious solution but cannot be accomplished simply given the complex nature 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 longer break, or can we allow for a pause during the season so there is a mini-break," said 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 decreased the number of events which are included in the rankings for 2026, which it thinks will reduce "the total burden" on the players.

"A factor frequently ignored: players select their own tournament plans," 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 questioned.

"In my view, athletes are more psychologically drained and exhausted because they're being on the road longer," opined Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

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

Players experience a higher rate of upper-body injuries in specific periods, according to available data.

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

Minimizing Midnight Matches & Uniform Balls

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

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

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

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

"Media interviews, rehabilitation, and treatment are required. Your day extends well beyond the match.

"The physical and neurological systems lack adequate time to recuperate. There is no other sport which mandates that."

A lack of standardization in tournament equipment - leading to changes in bounce and speed - has been cited 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 I observe these types of injuries becoming more common."

A former US Open champion, who ended his career last year with an chronic wrist problem, thinks tournaments in the same seasonal segment should use one uniform 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 adopted a more unified ball-approval process during 2025 and project "total consistency" in the coming years.

Learn from NFL & Protect Young Players

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 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.

"Their commercial success has soared 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 enacted regulations aimed at protecting throwers, limiting their throws 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 significant factor in their injuries later on.

"We pick up a racket as kids and have so many repetitions of our groundstrokes," said the former champion.

"Over time, the wrist suffers the consequences. 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 ramping up pressure on the Grand Slams with calls for a bigger piece of the financial pie, as well as genuine dialogue about the calendar extent, longer competitions and match timing.

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

Public understanding may be limited, though, given top players sometimes commit to lucrative non-tour contests.

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

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