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After Daria Kasatkina concluded her 2025 season early in October, the former world number eight detailed how she had "reached her limit."

"The calendar is overwhelming. Mentally and emotionally I'm at breaking point, and, unfortunately, I'm not alone," she wrote.

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, a double Wimbledon semi-final participant, had previously revealed she was not in "the psychological condition" to carry on, while sitting Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz furthermore think the calendar is excessively lengthy.

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

A somewhat extended off-season than 2025 has been received well. However, several weeks is not considered sufficient time for adequate rest before work commences for an 11-month campaign regarded as among the most demanding in professional sport.

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

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

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

So what measures are in place and what next actions could be implemented?

Shortening the Season

The 2025 season covered 47 weeks for many players on the ATP circuit, commencing with the United Cup team event in late December 2024 and concluding with the Davis Cup final in late November.

The women's season ended two weeks earlier when the WTA Finals finished in early November. The ITF moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to alleviate scheduling concerns.

The men's tour states it does not take the concerns of the players "casually," while WTA leadership notes player welfare will "consistently be the foremost concern."

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."

Overhauling the calendar is an clear answer 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.

"We need to think about whether we can buy back 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," said 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 count towards the rankings for 2026, which it is confident will reduce "the total burden" on the players.

"An aspect commonly missed: players select their own tournament plans," commented ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

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

Extending several required events across a fortnight - creating so-called 'mini Slams' - has also been questioned.

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

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

Players suffer more severe upper-body injuries in specific periods, according to PTPA research.

The organization says these "foreseeable patterns" 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 finished in the early hours in 2023, it seemed set to trigger adjustments.

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

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

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

"There are press obligations, recovery sessions, and physio appointments. 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 cited as a source of more frequent upper body injuries.

"My career has been plagued by injuries to the arm and 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.

"It shouldn't be too difficult - 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 project "complete uniformity" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

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

Using data-led analysis, the NFL required consistent playing surfaces and advanced 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.

"The financial returns have increased dramatically 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 pitchers, limiting their throws at the professional level and putting limits for young players.

Some retired players believe the strain put on the upper body of tennis players from a young age is a key element in their injuries later on.

"We pick up a racket as kids and have so many repetitions 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 collection of elite athletes increasing demands on the Grand Slams with calls for a bigger piece of the financial pie, as well as genuine dialogue about the calendar extent, elongated tournaments 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.

Support is not always forthcoming, though, given top players also participate in lucrative non-tour contests.

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

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