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After Daria Kasatkina cut short her 2025 season ahead of schedule in October, the former world number eight described how she had "hit a wall."

"The schedule is too much. Psychologically and emotionally, I am drained, and, sadly, I'm not alone," she wrote.

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had earlier revealed she was not in "the psychological condition" to carry on, 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 top tennis players assemble once more in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.

A marginally increased off-season than 2025 has been welcomed. However, several weeks is not considered sufficient time for proper rest before work commences for an eleven-month schedule regarded as among the most demanding in professional sport.

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

"Points and games are more extended, players are faster, they're hitting the ball harder.

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

So what is being done and what next actions could be implemented?

Condensing the Tour Schedule

The 2025 season spanned 47 weeks for many men on tour, beginning 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 tour finals concluded 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 the women's tour asserts player welfare will "always remain a top priority."

That did not placate the PTPA, which initiated a lawsuit 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 apparent fix but cannot be implemented readily given the intricate web of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have significant influence.

"We need to think about whether we can reclaim time at the end of the year for an longer break, or can we create space during the season so there is a short hiatus," 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 reduced the number of events which are included in the rankings for 2026, which it is confident will diminish "the total burden" on the players.

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

"Such autonomy is uncommon in elite athletics. But with that comes accountability - recognizing the right time to play and the right time to heal."

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

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

Alongside 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 "foreseeable patterns" are down to the structure of the calendar and the transitions between court surfaces.

Reducing Late Finishes & Standardizing Equipment

When a memorable contest at the Australian Open finished in the middle of the night in 2023, it promised to spark change.

In 2024, the tours brought in a new rule stopping matches beginning past 11pm.

But there have continued to be instances of matches concluding long after midnight - which medical experts argue must not be glorified.

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

"There are press obligations, recovery sessions, and physio appointments. Your day doesn't end at midnight.

"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 identified as a source of a rise in upper body injuries.

"I've had a lot of injuries in my arm, my shoulder, my wrist," commented one top British player, "and I'm seeing more and more of these injuries across the tours."

A former US Open champion, who stepped away last year with an persistent wrist issue, argues tournaments in the same circuit should use one standard ball.

"This should be a straightforward solution - 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 moved towards a more centralized ball-selection system during 2025 and anticipate "complete uniformity" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

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

Based on data-led analysis, the NFL mandated consistent playing surfaces and improved helmet technology to minimize 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 maintaining a healthy roster.

"They're putting their money where their mouth is by protecting athletes and investing hugely – that model is the benchmark."

Other leagues have enacted regulations aimed at protecting specific positions, limiting their workload 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.

"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 speaking out about the demands placed on them.

Current world number ones are among a coalition of top players increasing demands on the Grand Slams with calls for a larger share of revenue, as well as genuine dialogue about the calendar extent, elongated tournaments and match timing.

Last year, a top-ten American player said it was "absurd" 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 exhibition events.

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

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