Tennis’s Backbreaking Calendar: “Many Can’t Do It Anymore,” Say Pros

Concerns Mount Over the Grueling Tennis Schedule

Germany’s top tennis player, Eva Lys, has sounded the alarm on the punishing international tournament calendar, joining a growing number of professionals expressing concerns about mental fatigue and increased injuries. The 23-year-old raised the issue on Sport1, stating:

We have a lot of injuries – and I don’t want to use the word burnout, but we have a lot of people who just can’t do it anymore, who don’t have the mental capacity because it’s just too much.
– Eva Lys, on Sport1

A Chorus of Voices Calling for Change

Lys is far from the first player to call out the packed calendar. She emphasized the need for changes and highlighted the unique challenge faced by tennis players:

• An extended season: “The tour is far too long. In all other sports you have a good offseason when nothing happens. It’s far too short in tennis. We have two weeks in which we can take a vacation.”

• Lack of mental downtime: “We have a lot of injuries – and I don’t want to use the word burnout, but we have a lot of people who just can’t do it anymore, who don’t have the mental capacity because it’s just too much.”

The Tour’s Response: A Work in Progress

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) have responded to player concerns, implementing changes like a revised calendar and increased player compensation. However, many athletes still feel the need for more substantial changes.

FAQ: What are the possible solutions?

Q: What can be done to address these concerns?

A: Potential solutions could include a more balanced calendar, prioritizing player well-being, increasing off-time, and restructuring the points system to reduce the pressure to play every event.