Professional Tennis: A Grueling Schedule and the Quest for Balance
The 2024 professional tennis season officially concluded on December 22nd, when Joao Fonseca won the title at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Saudi Arabia, defeating Learner Tien. However, the 2025 season was already underway on December 27th with the United Cup in Australia. This close proximity between seasons highlights the limited rest for professional tennis players.
The complaint about the duration and itinerant nature of the tennis circuit has been constant among players, but it has intensified in recent years. Alex de Minaur attributed his early exit from the French Open to feeling “exhausted.” Iga Swiatek criticized the demands of the “super intense” calendar, and during the China Open, several matches ended with retirements.
Many players, including Frances Tiafoe, Danielle Collins, Jack Draper, and Daria Kasatkina, ended their seasons early this year due to injuries and mental fatigue.
“The truth is that I’ve hit a wall and can’t continue. I need a break. A break from the monotonous daily routine of life on the circuit, the suitcases, the results, the pressure, the same faces (sorry, girls), everything that this life entails,” Kasatkina expressed on social media.
Daria Kasatkina
As the 2025 season progresses and players are already thinking about 2026, the debate about the duration and intensity of the tennis season will persist. The big question is: Will there be changes in the near future?
Taylor Fritz, the highest-ranked American tennis player, had a standout season in 2024, reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open. At the end of the season, he won two ATP titles, reached four finals, and won an Olympic bronze medal in doubles. However, this success led to an extension of his season, including the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup. Fritz pointed out that the short rest time, of approximately three weeks, is not enough for the necessary preparation and training.
The rest period is crucial for implementing technical changes or changes in the training team, but it is questioned whether it is more important than rest and recovery after a demanding season. For some, this short break is the only opportunity to be at home.
Jordan Thompson, at the beginning of the 2025 season, expressed his desire to rest and relax in Australia, but also the need for physical training to stay in shape. He highlighted that they only have three weeks before returning to competition.
Novak Djokovic, former world number 1, only played the main events this summer, prioritizing winning his 25th Grand Slam title and spending time with his family. Tours require players to participate in a certain number of tournaments each year, with specific requirements for ATP and WTA players. Failure to meet these criteria may result in the loss of ranking points or the reduction of end-of-season bonus earnings.
Many top players have expressed concern about the length and demands of the schedule, especially as they often reach the final stages of tournaments. Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, among others, have lost points for not meeting the minimum tournament participation requirements.
Swiatek, after a match shortened by injury at the China Open, blamed the calendar and suggested that she might have to choose tournaments and skip some due to the WTA’s mandatory rules. Gauff also questioned the viability of meeting all the requirements, acknowledging the commercial implications, but emphasizing the health problems for the players.
The situation of the best players was evident at the Shanghai Masters in October, where many complained about the heat and humidity, as well as the weight of the long season. Carlos Alcaraz withdrew before the tournament due to an ankle injury, Jannik Sinner abandoned his third-round match due to cramps, and Djokovic needed treatment for a back injury.
The ATP announced the addition of another Masters 1000 tournament to its calendar, starting in 2028, in Saudi Arabia, which will raise the total to 10 tournaments in this category. The Grand Slams have added an extra day of play to their main draws, which has generated criticism. Jessica Pegula expressed her disagreement with the extension of the US Open, questioning the need to lengthen the tournament.
Brad Stine, coach of Tommy Paul, believes that players should be less “paranoid” about losing ranking points and skip tournaments when they need a break. He also points out that some players undermine their concerns by participating in lucrative exhibitions during the off-season or other breaks in the calendar.
Alcaraz, one of those who has most advocated for a shorter season, participated in the Six Kings Slam in October and plans to participate in other exhibition events in December. Alcaraz differentiates between official tournaments and exhibitions, arguing that the latter offer a less mentally demanding environment.
Fritz and other elite players like Alexander Zverev have expressed the need to shorten the season, but acknowledge that changes are difficult to implement. Event organizers and host cities pay high license fees and sign multi-year agreements. Although changes have been scarce, there have been some modifications, such as moving the Billie Jean King Cup final to September to give WTA players more rest time.
In 2024, the four Grand Slams held initial conversations for a “Premier Tour”, with an annual calendar that would include the majors and other events. The WTA and ATP proposed a version similar to the Slams, but failed to convince them, partly due to the proposed structure for overseeing the new venture. Andy Roddick suggested rearranging the events in the autumn calendar, proposing that the 250-level tournaments be held after the World Tour finals.
The WTA and ATP are aware of the players’ complaints. The WTA considers the well-being of the athletes a “priority” and maintains constant communication with the players. The WTA has implemented improvements in the season structure, increasing player compensation and adding more competitive opportunities. For its part, the ATP seeks to “extend the off-season”, but recognizes the complexity of the calendar and the need to consider all players.
Djokovic, critical of the current calendar, has highlighted the lack of unity among players and the need for them to get more involved to achieve significant changes. The debate about the tennis calendar continues, with players seeking a balance between the demands of competition and the need for rest and recovery.
