British tennis star Emma Raducanu has struck a defiantly positive tone regarding the sport's increasingly demanding schedule, placing her in direct disagreement with high-profile peers like world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
While Alcaraz and others have voiced serious concerns about player welfare, Raducanu has made it clear she does not believe the gruelling tour is "something to complain about".
The Schedule Strain: A Growing Concern
The structure of the professional tennis calendar has become a major point of contention. Most ATP Masters 1000 tournaments now run for 12 days, while the WTA Tour includes six mandatory 500-point events, creating a relentless cycle of competition.
This year, Raducanu herself experienced the physical toll firsthand, contesting a personal record of 50 matches and winning 28 of them. Despite understanding the strain, the 2021 US Open champion is adopting a different perspective to some of her contemporaries.
Raducanu's Stance: Setting a Positive Example
In comments made in early December 2025, Raducanu acknowledged the challenges but framed them as part of the job. "It's not all glamorous. There are definitely times when it's very difficult and we are flagging mentally, physically, everything hurts," she explained.
However, she emphasised the privilege of their profession. "We are making a great living as well... what are we going to do about it? I am sure there are certain people who go to work and their bosses make them do something, but they have to do it, it's their job."
Her primary concern appears to be the message sent to aspiring players. "If we put up a front that isn't complaining, I think that is a better example to the people watching... if they see all the top players moaning about the calendar, I don't think that's necessarily inspiring to look up to," Raducanu stated.
Opposing Voices: Alcaraz, Draper and Swiatek Voice Fears
This outlook contrasts sharply with other leading figures in the sport. Last year, Carlos Alcaraz warned that the packed calendar was something that could "kill us in some way".
British number two Jack Draper has frequently expressed worries about burnout and injuries linked to the schedule. Meanwhile, world number one Iga Swiatek has even suggested she may need to start skipping certain tournaments to secure adequate rest, highlighting the widespread concern about the physical and mental load.
Raducanu's current stance marks a shift from her own past approach, where she was more selective with tournaments following a 2023 season ended early by three surgeries and persistent back issues.
To manage her increased tournament commitment this season, she has enlisted a new physiotherapist, Emma Stewart. Raducanu praised Stewart's dual role in strength, conditioning, and physio, noting her thoroughness in building a programme that targets her body's specific weaknesses.
The debate over the tennis calendar shows no sign of abating, with the sport's biggest stars now publicly divided on how to address one of the tour's most pressing issues.
