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

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

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, a double Wimbledon semi-final participant, had previously announced she was not in "the mental space" to carry on, while sitting Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz additionally believe the calendar is overly extended.

The topic is still being argued as the world's top tennis players reconvene in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.

A marginally increased off-season than 2025 has been received well. Nevertheless, several weeks is not seen as sufficient time for adequate rest before preparations begin for an 11-month campaign considered among the most demanding in professional sport.

"Tennis places greater strain on athletes now than it ever has," stated Dr. Robby Sikka, chief medical officer at the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA).

"Points and games are more extended, 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 implemented?

Reducing the Calendar Length

The 2025 season lasted 47 weeks for many male competitors, starting with the United Cup team event in late December 2024 and ending with the Davis Cup final in late November.

The WTA Tour season concluded two weeks earlier when the tour finals wrapped up in early November. The ITF 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 WTA leadership notes player welfare will "always remain a top priority."

That did not appease the PTPA, which commenced proceedings against the men's and women's tours in March, citing "restrictive policies and an obvious indifference to player health."

Revamping the calendar is an clear answer but cannot be implemented readily given the complicated structure of tennis governance, where the four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF each have significant influence.

"It is crucial to evaluate whether we can reclaim time at the end of the year for an more substantial rest period, or can we buy time during the season so there is a short hiatus," added 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 cut the number of events which count towards the rankings for 2026, which it is confident will lessen "the cumulative strain" on the players.

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

"Such autonomy is uncommon in elite athletics. But with that comes obligation - 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 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.

Alongside mental burnout, there are worries about the rising physical demands.

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

The organization says these "anticipated spikes" are down to the structure of the calendar and the switches in court surfaces.

Minimizing Midnight Matches & Uniform Balls

When a memorable contest at the Australian Open concluded in the wee hours in 2023, it promised to spark change.

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

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

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

"There are press obligations, recovery sessions, and physio appointments. Your day extends well beyond the match.

"There is insufficient opportunity for the body and mind to heal. No other major sport imposes such conditions."

The use of varying balls at different events - leading to changes in feel and performance - has been pointed to as a source of more frequent 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 chronic wrist problem, argues tournaments in the same seasonal segment 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 began using a more standardized equipment policy during 2025 and anticipate "complete uniformity" in the coming years.

Emulate American Sports & Safeguard Juniors

Athletic performance experts believe tennis must take cues from how American team sports use data to guide the wellbeing of its stars.

Using data-led analysis, the NFL required consistent playing surfaces and advanced 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.

"We've seen the economic model is skyrocketing because their games are so competitive and they're ensuring star athletes are available.

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

Other leagues have enacted regulations 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 young age is a significant factor 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."

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 group of stars ramping up pressure on the Grand Slams with calls for a bigger piece of the financial pie, as well as meaningful consultation about the calendar extent, elongated tournaments and scheduling.

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

Support is not always forthcoming, though, given top players sometimes commit to lucrative showcase matches.

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

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