The 2024 professional tennis season officially ended on December 22nd, when Joao Fonseca defeated Learner Tien in the final of the ATP Next Gen Finals in Saudi Arabia. However, the 2025 season was already underway on December 27th with the United Cup in Australia. This close proximity between seasons has generated criticism about the length and demands of the calendar.
I don’t know how the ’25 season starts in ’24. It’s a joke.
Jordan Thompson
The short break between high-level tournaments, such as the Billie Jean King Cup and the Davis Cup, and the United Cup, as well as the WTA and ATP finals in mid-November, highlights the little respite players have to rest and prepare.
The length of the season and the itinerant nature of the circuit are common complaints among players, but they have intensified in recent years. Alex de Minaur attributed his early elimination at the French Open to “exhaustion”, while Iga Swiatek criticized the intensity of the calendar, going so far as to say that she would have to “choose some tournaments and skip them, even if they are mandatory”.
Several tennis players, including Frances Tiafoe, Danielle Collins, Jack Draper, and Daria Kasatkina, ended their seasons early due to injuries and mental fatigue.
Taylor Fritz, who had an outstanding season in 2024, with quarter-finals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, also spoke out about the lack of rest time. Fritz highlighted that, for top players, the season extends even further due to the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup, reducing the rest period to only a few weeks.
The American tennis player pointed out the importance of this time to train and make technical or team changes, which makes it crucial. For some players, this short break is the only opportunity to spend time at home.Novak Djokovic, for his part, chose to play only the most important events, prioritizing winning his 25th Grand Slam title and spending time with his family. However, the demands of the calendar are evident, with mandatory tournament participation requirements, which generates debate about the health and well-being of the players.
The WTA and ATP have responded to these criticisms, highlighting the importance of athlete well-being and constant communication with players. The WTA has implemented improvements in the season structure, with increases in player compensation and more competitive opportunities. However, the question of the duration and intensity of the calendar remains a topic of debate and concern among tennis players.
Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka, among others, expressed their frustration with the number of mandatory tournaments, despite the improvements. Swiatek played up to 80 matches in a season, demonstrating the high physical and mental demands.At the Shanghai Masters, fatigue and heat affected several players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic, highlighting the impact of the schedule on their performance.The ATP announced the addition of a new Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia starting in 2028, which will further increase the workload. In addition, the French Open, the Australian Open, and the US Open have added playing days, generating more criticism.
I don’t know why they had to make it even longer. Well, I know why they did it: they can sell tickets for an extra day.
Jessica Pegula
Brad Stine, coach of Tommy Paul, suggests eliminating the “mandatory” distinction of tournaments and allowing more rest after the Grand Slams. However, he also criticizes players who participate in lucrative exhibitions during the off-season, contradicting their complaints about the length of the calendar.Carlos Alcaraz, one of those who has most spoken out about the need to shorten the season, participated in the Six Kings Slam and other exhibition events. Although he defends the difference in format and demand between official tournaments and exhibitions.
Fritz and other elite players like Alexander Zverev have publicly requested a reduction in the season, but they don’t perceive significant changes. The complexity of the calendar, with tournaments of different levels and associated commercial agreements, makes any substantial modification difficult.
Although some adjustments have been implemented, such as the change of date for the Billie Jean King Cup final, the current situation is tense. Djokovic, a strong critic of the calendar, highlights the need for greater unity and player participation to achieve significant changes.
