The Professional Tennis Season: A Grueling Schedule
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. However, the 2025 season was already underway, starting on December 27th with the United Cup in Australia. The brevity of the break between seasons has drawn criticism from players, who denounce the lack of time to rest and prepare adequately.
The demands of the calendar, with tournaments in rapid succession and constant travel, are a persistent problem in the world of tennis. Alex de Minaur attributed his early elimination at Roland Garros to feeling “exhausted”, while Iga Swiatek criticized the intensity of the calendar, even questioning her participation in a qualifying tournament for the Billie Jean King Cup.
“The schedule is too much, mentally and emotionally I’m at a breaking point and, unfortunately, I’m not alone.”
Daria Kasatkina
Several tennis players, including Frances Tiafoe, Danielle Collins, Jack Draper, and Daria Kasatkina, ended their seasons early due to injuries and mental fatigue.“I’ve reached a turning point and can’t continue. I need a break,” Daria Kasatkina wrote in a social media post in October.Taylor Fritz, who had an outstanding season in 2024, with quarter-finals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and a final at the US Open, experienced firsthand the lack of rest. Despite his achievements, including two ATP titles and an Olympic bronze medal, his season was extended, limiting his rest time to only three weeks.
The American tennis player pointed out that this short period should be dedicated to training, leaving only one week for rest. “It’s absurd,” commented Fritz.Novak Djokovic won the Hellenic ATP 250 Championship on Saturday, but played little this year and chose not to participate in the ATP Finals this week due to an ongoing shoulder injury.Djokovic, for his part, prioritized the most important events and time with his family, but his situation is exceptional. The rules of the circuits require a minimum number of tournaments, which puts pressure on the players, especially those who reach the final rounds of the tournaments.
Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Madison Keys, among others, lost points for not meeting participation requirements. The Polish player, after a match shortened by injury at the China Open, criticized the schedule and the mandatory nature of the tournaments, suggesting that she might be forced to skip some events.Iga Swiatek played 80 matches, the most on the circuit this season.The WTA and others in the sport have repeatedly pointed to extended 1000-level tournaments as part of how it could ensure equal prize money at tournaments with their male counterparts.
Gauff, although acknowledging the economic justification, considers it “impossible” to meet all the requirements. At the Shanghai Masters, fatigue and heat affected several players, with Alcaraz, Sinner and Djokovic suffering injuries and physical problems.Jessica Pegula said she doesn’t like the US Open’s change to a 15-day tournament this year.The ATP announced the incorporation of a new Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia starting in 2028, increasing the total number to ten, with nine mandatory. The extension of the Grand Slam tournaments and the increase in playing days, such as the US Open, have also generated criticism.
Brad Stine, Tommy Paul’s coach, suggests eliminating the obligation to play in tournaments and giving more rest after the Grand Slams. In addition, he criticizes players who participate in lucrative exhibitions during the off-season, contradicting their complaints about the schedule.
Alcaraz, one of those who has most expressed his desire to shorten the season, defends his participation in exhibitions as something different from official tournaments, arguing that they are less mentally demanding.Jannik Sinner (left) and Carlos Alcaraz shared the important titles in 2025. Alcaraz has been especially vocal about the need for a shorter season.Fritz, Alcaraz, and Zverev, three of the top four players in the world, agree on the need to shorten the season, but do not perceive imminent changes.
Despite the difficulties, there have been some modifications. The Billie Jean King Cup final was moved forward to September to give WTA players more rest time. More significant changes have been discussed, such as the proposal for a “Premier Tour” with the Grand Slams and other events, but it did not succeed.
Andy Roddick suggests rearranging the autumn calendar, allowing 250-level tournaments after the World Tour Finals. The WTA and ATP, aware of the players’ concerns, seek to improve the season’s structure, prioritizing the athletes’ well-being.
Djokovic, critical of the calendar for years, acknowledges the complexity of the issue and emphasizes the need for greater participation and unity of the players to achieve significant changes.
