'We Must Protect Players' - How Should Tennis Prevent Hitting a Tipping Point?

After Daria Kasatkina ended her 2025 season prematurely in October, the former world number eight described how she had "encountered a barrier."

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

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, a double Wimbledon semi-final participant, had previously announced she was not in "the right headspace" to persist, while reigning Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz additionally think the calendar is excessively lengthy.

The topic continues to be debated as the world's foremost tennis players gather again in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.

A somewhat extended off-season than 2025 has been greeted positively. Nevertheless, a handful of weeks is not regarded as adequate time for thorough rest before preparations begin for an 11-month campaign regarded as among the most onerous in professional sport.

"The physical requirements of tennis are more intense than in the past," 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.

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

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

Reducing the Calendar Length

The 2025 season covered 47 weeks for many men on tour, starting with the United Cup team event in late December 2024 and concluding with the Davis Cup final in late November.

The WTA Tour season ended two weeks earlier when the tour finals finished in early November. The governing body moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to help combat scheduling concerns.

The men's tour states it does not take the concerns of the players "lightly," while the WTA Tour says player welfare will "always remain a top priority."

That did not appease the PTPA, which began legal action 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 apparent fix but cannot be accomplished simply given the intricate web of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have major stakes.

"We need to think about whether we can buy back time at the end of the year for an more substantial rest period, 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 long-time advocate for change, says the season should not go past 1 November.

The ATP Tour has reduced the number of events which factor into the rankings for 2026, which it believes will reduce "overall demands" on the players.

"A factor frequently ignored: players determine their own playing calendar," stated ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

"This level of choice is unusual in pro sports. But with that comes responsibility - knowing when to push and when to recover."

Prolonging several compulsory competitions across a fortnight - creating so-called 'mini Slams' - has also been faulted.

"I think players are more mentally tired and more fatigued because they're spending more days away," stated Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

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

Players suffer more severe upper-body injuries in particular times of the year, according to player association statistics.

The organization says these "predictable clusters" are down to the tour schedule layout and the transitions between court surfaces.

Reducing Late Finishes & Standardizing Equipment

When a memorable contest at the Australian Open concluded in the wee hours in 2023, it was expected to drive reform.

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

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

"After a match concludes, an athlete's day isn't over," 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. No other major sport imposes such conditions."

Different tournaments playing with different balls - leading to changes in weight and pace - has been cited 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 stepped away last year with an ongoing wrist injury, believes tournaments in the same seasonal segment should use one standard 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 adopted a more centralized ball-selection system during 2025 and anticipate "complete uniformity" in the coming years.

Emulate American Sports & Safeguard Juniors

Medical researchers believe tennis must learn from how American team sports use data to inform the welfare of its stars.

Using data-led analysis, the NFL demanded consistent playing surfaces and advanced helmet technology to lessen 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.

"Their commercial success has soared because their games are so competitive and they're ensuring star athletes are available.

"They're putting their money where their mouth is by protecting athletes and devoting significant resources – that model is the exemplar."

Other leagues have introduced rules aimed at protecting pitchers, limiting their exertion at the professional level and putting age restrictions.

Some retired players believe the stress put on the upper body of tennis players from a very early stage is a key element in their injuries later on.

"We start playing from such an early age and have so many iterations 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 growing group of players are finding their voice about the demands placed on them.

Current world number ones are among a collection of elite athletes applying force on the Grand Slams with calls for a increased portion of tournament income, as well as meaningful consultation about the tour schedule duration, elongated tournaments and scheduling.

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

Support is not always forthcoming, though, given top players occasionally sign up for lucrative exhibition events.

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

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