Tennis Exhausted: The Strenuous ATP/WTA Calendar and Its Impact

Professional Tennis: A Grueling Schedule and the Quest for Balance

The 2024 professional tennis season officially ended on December 22nd, with Joao Fonseca’s victory over Learner Tien at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Saudi Arabia. The 2025 season began on December 27th with the United Cup in Australia, demonstrating the short break players have. The demands of the calendar have been criticized by tennis players. Players like Alex de Minaur and Iga Swiatek have expressed their exhaustion and criticized the intensity of the calendar, which includes consecutive tournaments and constant travel. Several players, such as Frances Tiafoe and Daria Kasatkina, ended their season early due to injuries and mental fatigue.

“The truth is that I’ve reached a breaking point 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 commented in a social media post.

Daria Kasatkina

The question of the duration and intensity of the tennis season remains a topic of debate. Taylor Fritz’s 2024 season, with outstanding results, including a place in the US Open final and two ATP titles, did not grant him time for rest, as qualification for the ATP Finals and participation in the Davis Cup extended his season, leaving only three weeks between the end of one and the start of the next. Fritz highlighted the need for training in that short period, which further reduces the rest time.

“I’ve reached a limit and can’t continue. I need a break,” Daria Kasatkina wrote in a social media post in October.Novak Djokovic, for his part, chose to play only the most important events, seeking to prioritize time with his family and his performance. However, the demands of the tournaments, which force players to participate in a specific number of events, makes time management and recovery difficult. Players like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have lost points for not meeting the participation requirements.

Novak Djokovic won the Hellenic ATP 250 Championship on Saturday, but played little this year and chose not to participate in this week’s ATP Finals due to a shoulder injury.The WTA and ATP have defended the extension of the 1000-level tournaments to increase prize money, but players like Coco Gauff have highlighted that it is “impossible” to meet all the requirements. Iga Swiatek, who led the circuit with 80 matches, also expressed her frustration with the schedule.

Iga Swiatek played in 80 matches this season, leading the circuit.The Shanghai Masters was an example of physical demands, with withdrawals due to injuries and health problems. The ATP plans to add a Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia, which could increase the workload. Players like Jessica Pegula have criticized the expansion of the calendar. Brad Stine, coach of Tommy Paul, suggests that players could be less “paranoid” about losing points and take breaks when necessary. Carlos Alcaraz, one of those advocating for a shorter season, participated in exhibition events, which generated criticism about the consistency of his demands.

Jannik Sinner (left) and Carlos Alcaraz shared the important titles in 2025. Alcaraz has been especially open about the need for a shorter season.

The ATP and WTA face the challenge of modifying the calendar. The Billie Jean King Cup was moved forward to give players more rest. The ATP seeks to extend the off-season, but the complexity of the calendar and the diversity of interests make it difficult to find solutions. Djokovic emphasizes the need for players to get more involved in the system to achieve significant changes.