Elina Svitolina is among a growing number of tennis players who have been forced to cut short their seasons due to burnout, as the sport's packed calendar takes a heavy toll on physical and mental health. The world No 14 ended her 2025 campaign in September, citing the mental and emotional strain of constant competition, travel and stress.
Jack Draper, Zheng Qinwen, Holger Rune and Arthur Fils have all suffered long-term injuries, while Ons Jabeur, Daria Kasatkina and Svitolina have stepped away due to mental struggles. The off-season, which began on 24 November, lasts just five weeks and four days, making tennis one of the longest campaigns in professional sport.
Complaints about the schedule are not new, but the sport's fractured governance—with seven official bodies including the ATP, WTA, ITF and four grand slams—has hindered reform. Players argue that extended 12-day events at ATP and WTA 1000 tournaments, plus financial penalties for skipping events, are exacerbating the problem. A new ATP Masters 1000 in Saudi Arabia is set for 2028, adding to the congestion.
The Professional Tennis Players' Association, co-founded by Novak Djokovic, is pursuing a class-action lawsuit against the governing bodies, accusing them of operating as a cartel. Meanwhile, top-10 players including Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Draper have called for grand slams to share more revenue through prize money and benefits.
ATP chair Andrea Gaudenzi, a former player, has expressed sympathy but advised players to schedule more intelligently, focusing on major tournaments rather than smaller events or exhibitions. Critics note, however, that lower-ranked players often need more playing opportunities to earn a living, complicating any solution.
