When Daria Kasatkina cut her 2025 season short in October, the former world number eight described how she had “hit a wall”.
“The schedule is too much. Mentally and emotionally I’m at breaking point and, sadly, I’m not alone,” she wrote.
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, had already announced she was not in “the mental space” to continue, while reigning Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz believe the calendar is too long.
The topic continues to be debated as the world’s leading tennis players reconvene in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.
A slightly longer off-season than 2025 has been welcomed. Nevertheless, several weeks is not seen as enough time for proper recuperation before preparations begin for an 11-month campaign regarded as among the most onerous in professional sport.
“The demands of tennis are harder than ever before,” Dr Robby Sikka, medical director at the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) co-founded by Novak Djokovic, told BBC Sport.
“Matches and rallies are longer, players are faster, they’re hitting the ball harder.
“We owe it to our players to protect them and give them a more sustainable sport.”
So what is being done and what further steps could be taken?
