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When Daria Kasatkina cut short her 2025 season ahead of schedule in October, the former world number eight detailed how she had "reached her limit."

"The schedule is too much. Mentally and emotionally I'm at breaking point, and, sadly, I'm not alone," she expressed.

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had previously announced she was not in "the psychological condition" to persist, while reigning Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz additionally believe the calendar is too long.

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. However, a few weeks is not considered enough time for thorough rest before preparations begin 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, medical director at the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA).

"Points and games are more extended, 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 further steps could be taken?

Shortening the Season

The 2025 season lasted 47 weeks for many male competitors, 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 season-ending championships finished in early November. The ITF moved the Billie Jean King Cup Finals forward to September to address scheduling concerns.

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

That did not placate the PTPA, which initiated a lawsuit against the men's and women's tours in March, citing "unfair practices and a clear neglect of athlete well-being."

Revamping the calendar is an apparent fix but cannot be achieved easily given the complex nature of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have major stakes.

"It is crucial to evaluate 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," added Dr. Sikka.

Former world number one Andy Roddick, a vocal proponent of reform, says the season should not go past 1 November.

The ATP Tour has cut the number of events which factor into the rankings for 2026, which it believes will reduce "the total burden" on the players.

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

"Such autonomy is uncommon in elite athletics. But with that comes accountability - knowing when to push and when to recover."

Extending several mandatory tournaments across a fortnight - creating so-called 'super weeks' - has also been faulted.

"I believe competitors are more worn out mentally and physically 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 increased physical demands.

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

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

Fewer Late Nights & More Ball Consistency

When a high-profile game at the Australian Open finished in the middle of the night in 2023, it was expected to drive reform.

In 2024, the tours brought in a new rule prohibiting matches starting after 11pm.

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

"After a match concludes, an athlete's day isn't over," explained Dr. Sikka.

"You have to do media, recover, work with the physiotherapist. Your day doesn't end at midnight.

"Your body, brain and nerves don't have chance to recover. This is a unique demand in the sporting world."

The use of varying balls at different events - leading to changes in feel and performance - has been identified as a source of increased upper body injuries.

"I have suffered numerous arm, shoulder, and wrist issues," stated one top British player, "and I observe these types of injuries becoming more common."

A former US Open champion, who stepped away last year with an persistent wrist issue, believes tournaments in the same circuit should use one type of 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 project "full alignment" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

Medical researchers believe tennis must emulate how American team sports use data to guide the wellbeing of its stars.

Following data-led analysis, the NFL mandated consistent playing surfaces and improved 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.

"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 benchmark."

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

Some retired players believe the load put on the upper body of tennis players from a young age is a major contributor in their injuries later on.

"We start playing from such an early age 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."

Athletes Are Pushing for Reform - What Are Their Demands?

An rising contingent of players are finding their voice about the demands placed on them.

Current world number ones are among a coalition of top players applying force on the Grand Slams with calls for a bigger piece of the financial pie, as well as substantive discussions about the tour schedule duration, extended events and scheduling.

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

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

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

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