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When Daria Kasatkina cut short her 2025 season prematurely in October, the former world number eight described how she had "reached her limit."

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

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

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

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

"The demands of tennis are harder than ever before," said 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.

"It is our obligation to shield the competitors and give them a more manageable sport."

So what actions are being taken and what next actions could be implemented?

Reducing the Calendar Length

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

The women's season finished two weeks earlier when the WTA Finals wrapped up in early November. The governing body 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 "without seriousness," while the WTA Tour says player welfare will "perpetually be the highest focus."

That failed to satisfy the PTPA, which initiated a lawsuit against the men's and women's tours in March, referencing "anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare."

Restructuring the calendar is an clear answer but cannot be achieved easily given the intricate web of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have significant influence.

"It is crucial to evaluate whether we can create more time at the end of the year for an extended off season, or can we create space during the season so there is a short hiatus," noted 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 believes will reduce "the cumulative strain" on the players.

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

"That freedom is rare in professional sport. But with that comes accountability - recognizing the right time to play and the right time to heal."

Prolonging several compulsory competitions across a fortnight - creating so-called 'extended events' - has also been questioned.

"In my view, athletes are more psychologically drained and exhausted because they're away from home for extended periods," stated Britain's former men's world number one, Andy Murray.

Alongside mental burnout, there are concerns about the growing physical demands.

Players are more prone to upper-body injuries in particular times of the year, according to available data.

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

Minimizing Midnight Matches & Uniform Balls

When a notable match 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 stopping matches commencing later than 11pm.

But there have continued to be instances of matches concluding long after midnight - which medical experts cannot be allowed to be "romanticised".

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

"You have to do media, recover, work with the physiotherapist. Your day extends well beyond the match.

"Your body, brain and nerves don't have chance to recover. No other major sport imposes such conditions."

Different tournaments playing with different balls - leading to changes in feel and performance - has been pointed to as a source of increased upper body injuries.

"My career has been plagued by injuries to the arm and wrist," said one top British player, "and I'm seeing more and more of these injuries across the tours."

A former US Open champion, who ended his career 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 centralized ball-selection system during 2025 and anticipate "total consistency" in the coming years.

Emulate American Sports & Safeguard Juniors

Sports scientists believe tennis must emulate how American team sports use data to guide the health of its stars.

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

"We've seen the economic model is skyrocketing because their games are so competitive and they're keeping players out on the field.

"They are investing heavily in their stated goals by protecting athletes and devoting significant resources – that model is the benchmark."

Other leagues have introduced rules aimed at protecting throwers, limiting their exertion 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 major contributor in their injuries later on.

"Training begins in childhood 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."

Competitors Seek Adjustments - What Are the Key Issues?

An rising contingent of players are becoming vocal about the demands placed on them.

Current world number ones are among a group of stars applying force on the Grand Slams with calls for a larger share of revenue, as well as meaningful consultation about the length of the season, longer competitions 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.

Sympathy can be in short supply, though, given top players occasionally sign up for lucrative showcase matches.

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

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