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When Daria Kasatkina ended her 2025 season prematurely in October, the ex-top ten player described how she had "encountered a barrier."

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

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had already revealed she was not in "the psychological condition" to carry on, while current Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz additionally are convinced the calendar is too long.

The topic remains under discussion as the world's leading tennis players gather again in Australia for the beginning of the 2026 season.

A slightly longer off-season than 2025 has been welcomed. However, several weeks is not considered enough time for adequate rest before training starts for an season lasting nearly a year considered among the most onerous in professional sport.

"The demands of tennis are harder than ever before," stated Dr. Robby Sikka, medical director 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 viable sport."

So what is being done and what additional measures could be implemented?

Condensing the Tour Schedule

The 2025 season lasted 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 WTA Tour season ended two weeks earlier when the season-ending championships concluded in early November. The governing body 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 women's tour asserts player welfare will "perpetually be the highest focus."

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."

Revamping 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 significant influence.

"We must consider whether we can buy back time at the end of the year for an extended off season, or can we create space during the season so there is a brief respite," 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 reduced the number of events which count towards the rankings for 2026, which it believes will reduce "overall demands" on the players.

"An aspect commonly missed: players choose their own schedules," stated ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

"This level of choice is unusual in pro sports. But with that comes obligation - recognizing the right time to play and the right time to heal."

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

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

Players are more prone to upper-body injuries in certain months, according to PTPA research.

The organization says these "anticipated spikes" are down to the tour schedule layout and the switches in court surfaces.

Reducing Late Finishes & Standardizing Equipment

When a memorable contest at the Australian Open concluded in the middle of the night in 2023, it seemed set to trigger adjustments.

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

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

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

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

"There is insufficient opportunity for the body and mind to heal. This is a unique demand in the sporting world."

A lack of standardization in tournament equipment - leading to changes in feel and performance - has been pointed to as a source of a rise in 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 ended his career last year with an ongoing wrist injury, thinks tournaments in the same circuit should use one uniform 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 unified ball-approval process during 2025 and expect "complete uniformity" in the coming years.

Take Lessons from the NFL & Shield Developing Athletes

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

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

"We've seen the economic model is skyrocketing 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 investing hugely – that model is the benchmark."

Other leagues have introduced rules aimed at protecting throwers, limiting their workload at the professional level and putting guidelines for juniors.

Some retired players believe the stress put on the upper body of tennis players from a tender age is a significant factor in their injuries later on.

"Training begins in childhood 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 larger share of revenue, as well as substantive discussions 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 new season.

Public understanding may be limited, though, given top players occasionally sign up for lucrative exhibition events.

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

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