Former world No. 3 and 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens recently voiced her concerns about the rigorous demands of the ATP and WTA schedules, becoming the latest player to join the growing number of high-profile athletes calling for change. The scrutiny over tennis scheduling has escalated recently, with figures like Iga Świątek and Carlos Alcaraz – both major champions and former world No. 1s – openly criticizing the intense calendar. Stephens, known for her candid views, echoed these sentiments in a recent episode of Caroline Garcia’s *Tennis Insider Club* podcast, emphasizing that mandatory tournament rules contribute to some of the “bad things” in the sport.
In her podcast appearance, Stephens didn’t hold back, describing how these requirements can push players into unhealthy physical and mental situations. “I never pushed myself to be like, ‘I am going to stick it out for another three weeks just because I need my ranking,’” she said, hinting at the toll such a mindset can take on players. “I feel like a lot of players just do that in general. You’re there because you don’t want to pay the fine, or you’re supposed to be, you entered the tournament, and you don’t want to have any more withdrawals. You are like, ‘I’m present, but mentally I’m not here.’”
Stephens highlighted a critical issue: the pressure to meet participation requirements, even when players are dealing with fatigue, mental strain, or injuries. “One of the bad things about both tours, ATP and WTA, is that you’re forced to play even when you are probably not in the best mental capacity or physical shape,” she explained, describing how this environment can negatively impact players’ long-term health and performance.
For WTA players like Stephens, the expectations are intense. They’re required to participate in all four Grand Slam tournaments, alongside ten WTA 1000 events, and six WTA 500 tournaments. If they qualify, they’re also expected to compete in the WTA Finals, making up an extensive and grueling schedule with limited opportunities for rest. Any failure to meet these requirements can result in serious consequences, including the loss of ranking points. Recently, this has impacted Iga Świątek, who, despite an impressive year, lost her No. 1 ranking after being penalized for not meeting participation requirements.
Świątek, the five-time Grand Slam champion, has been one of the most outspoken advocates for scheduling reform. Despite competing in 15 events this year – including the Olympics and Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers – she only played two WTA 500 tournaments, a decision that led to point deductions. In an interview this past August, she opened up about the strain of the tennis calendar, describing it as “crazy, probably the toughest one in sports.” She added, “There are sports that are really tough because, physically, you might get beat up. But most sports have four months off, sometimes even six. Our schedule is crazy, and it’s getting more crazy every year, which is scary. You just have to train wisely.”
Świątek’s comments resonate with many players who feel the calendar allows insufficient recovery time, making it difficult to maintain peak form. The pressure to keep up with such a demanding schedule can be especially punishing on physical health. Injuries become almost inevitable, impacting careers and longevity. Tennis, as Świątek explained, is unique in its lack of downtime; unlike most sports, players have virtually no off-season to recuperate or work on their games without competition pressures.
Alcaraz, another advocate for change, echoed these sentiments in September, expressing similar concerns over the toll the calendar takes on players. “I’m the kind of player who thinks there are a lot of tournaments during the year, mandatory tournaments, and probably during the next few years, gonna be even more tournaments, more mandatory tournaments. So, I mean, probably they are going to kill us in some way,” he said, noting the ironic smile but underlying seriousness in his tone. He elaborated, saying that an increasing number of injuries can be attributed to the relentless calendar, as well as equipment like tennis balls, which he suggested could also be playing a role in injury patterns.
Alcaraz’s mention of equipment, specifically the ball, ties into a broader conversation about factors exacerbating physical strain. He noted that “a lot of good players are going to miss a lot of tournaments because of that, because they have to think about their bodies, they have to take care of their love [for the game].” His concerns underscore the idea that not only the quantity of tournaments but also other logistical factors could be improved to support player health better.
The ATP and WTA are facing mounting pressure to respond to these issues as more players advocate for a reassessment of the tour calendar and mandatory rules. The sustained participation of top-ranked players is crucial for tennis’s popularity and growth, but many in the sport recognize that protecting players’ well-being must come first. As Stephens, Świątek, and Alcaraz’s comments reveal, the demands of the current schedule could potentially shorten careers or lead to burnout among players who otherwise have the potential for longevity in the sport.
Moving forward, both governing bodies will likely be expected to engage in conversations with players, examining ways to adapt the tournament schedule to be more sustainable. Potential solutions could include increasing flexibility around mandatory tournaments, extending the off-season, or even introducing player rotations to ease the burden on individuals. For now, though, the voices of leading players like Stephens, Świątek, and Alcaraz continue to fuel a critical dialogue about tennis’s future, with the hope that changes might alleviate some of the pressures that currently weigh on the sport’s top talent.