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When Daria Kasatkina cut her 2025 season short in October, the former world number eight described how she had “hit a wall”.<\/b><\/p>\n
“The schedule is too much. Mentally and emotionally I’m at breaking point and, sadly, I’m not alone,” she wrote.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The topic continues to be debated as the world’s leading tennis players reconvene in Australia for the start of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“Matches and rallies are longer, players are faster, they’re hitting the ball harder.<\/p>\n
“We owe it to our players to protect them and give them a more sustainable sport.”<\/p>\n
So what is being done and what further steps could be taken?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n