The professional tennis world is facing a growing concern: player burnout. Top athletes, including Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daria Kasatkina, have highlighted that the modern tennis calendar is too long, too intense, and potentially harmful to both physical and mental health. As the 2026 season begins at the Australian Open, the debate around protecting players has never been more pressing.
The Burnout Epidemic in Professional Tennis
In October 2025, Daria Kasatkina shocked fans by ending her season early, describing how she had “hit a wall.” She explained that the relentless schedule had taken a toll on her mental and emotional health. Kasatkina’s experience is far from unique. Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, also withdrew from competition due to mental fatigue. Meanwhile, reigning Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz have publicly stated that the tennis season is excessively long and physically demanding.
This issue is not limited to elite players. Across the ATP and WTA tours, athletes face a grueling 11-month calendar with limited opportunities for meaningful rest, raising serious questions about the sport’s sustainability.
Why the Tennis Calendar Is Under Scrutiny
In 2025, the men’s ATP season spanned 47 weeks, starting with the United Cup in late December 2024 and concluding with the Davis Cup final in November. For women, the WTA season ended only slightly earlier, after the WTA Finals in early November. While a slightly longer off-season in 2026 has been welcomed, experts say this is still insufficient for full recovery.
Dr. Robby Sikka, medical director of the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), emphasized the growing physical and mental demands:
“Matches and rallies are longer, players are faster, and they’re hitting the ball harder than ever. We owe it to our players to protect them and give them a more sustainable sport.”
The PTPA, co-founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil in 2020, has taken legal action against the tours, highlighting what they describe as “anti-competitive practices and a blatant disregard for player welfare.”
Proposed Solutions: Shortening the Season
One clear strategy is reducing the length of the tennis season. Former world number one Andy Roddick has advocated for ending the season by 1 November to allow players more recovery time. In 2026, the ATP has already cut the number of ranking events from 19 to 18, aiming to reduce overall demands. The WTA also bases rankings on 18 tournaments, though top players still face at least 20 mandatory events.
While players have flexibility in choosing their schedules, there is still pressure to perform at major tournaments, leading to fatigue. Andy Murray, former men’s world number one, warns that extended travel and longer tournaments contribute significantly to mental burnout.
Managing Physical Demands and Injuries
The PTPA’s data shows that injuries often peak during April, August, and October, suggesting a link to calendar structure and surface transitions. Upper-body injuries, including wrist, shoulder, and elbow issues, are particularly common.
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem attributes these injuries to overuse from an early age:
“We start playing from such an early age and repeat our strokes thousands of times. It’s no surprise many players develop chronic wrist or shoulder problems.”
Other solutions include standardizing tournament balls to reduce strain and adjusting match timings to avoid late-night finishes. The notorious 2023 Australian Open match involving Murray, which ended at 4:05 a.m., led to a rule change preventing matches from starting after 11 p.m. However, late-night matches still occur, further limiting recovery time.
Learning from Other Sports
Tennis can also take lessons from team sports like the NFL and MLB, which use data analytics to protect players. The NFL mandates consistent playing surfaces and equipment safety, while MLB limits pitching workloads for young athletes to prevent long-term injuries.
Applying similar data-driven approaches in tennis could guide scheduling, training, and recovery protocols. As Dr. Sikka notes, the goal is to maximize player longevity and performance without compromising health.
Player Voices and the Push for Change
Top players are increasingly speaking out about the pressures of modern tennis. Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, and Taylor Fritz have demanded greater consultation on scheduling, tournament length, and revenue sharing. While some criticize high-profile players for participating in lucrative exhibitions, the consensus is clear: player welfare is no longer optional.
Dr. Sikka concludes:
“Players are motivated for change. They understand that their success and income depend on being healthy, and everyone wants to be the best and healthiest version of themselves.”
Moving Toward a Sustainable Tennis Future
The tennis world faces a pivotal moment. With growing awareness of mental and physical strain, governing bodies, players, and associations like the PTPA must collaborate to create a sustainable model. Shorter seasons, consistent equipment, better match scheduling, and data-driven recovery strategies could ensure that tennis remains competitive without breaking its players.
The 2026 season will be an important test: whether the sport listens to its stars and adapts—or risks losing top talent to burnout and injury.
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