Australia's Alex de Minaur played 23 tournaments last season - the third most of the men's top 10 French Open 2025 Dates:25 May-8 JuneVenue:Roland Garros Coverage:Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app For several years, the top tennis players have said the physical demands on them are becoming increasingly unsustainable. Australian world number nine Alex de Minaur is the latest to voice concerns about the calendar, saying an earlier-than-expected French Open exit was a result of "feeling burned out". The 26-year-old held a two-set lead in his second-round match against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik but faded physically from then on. Britain's Jack Draper raised fears at the end of last year about the "mental" schedule for the top players, while five-time women's major champion Iga Swiatek feels the current demands are "pretty exhausting". Casper Ruudcriticised the rankings "rat race"after his Roland Garros exit, while De Minaur said: "Players' careers are going to get shorter because they're going to burn out mentally. "There is just too much tennis." The ATP Tour says it "does not take these concerns lightly" and the WTA Tour has previously said the health and wellbeing of players is "always our priority". So what is the solution to stop the leading stars feeling the strain? The season for the top players stretches across 11 months. Last year, men's world number one Jannik Sinner played 79 matches across 17 tournaments, while top-ranked women's player Aryna Sabalenka contested 70 matches across 17 tournaments. Ruud played 25 tournaments - the second most in the ATP year-end top 10 last season - with De Minaur third on 23. "What's not normal is that for the last three or four years I've had two days off, gone straight into pre-season and straight into the new season again," De Minaur said on Thursday. "Once you start, you don't finish until late November. It's just never ending. That's the sheer fact of it." Pre-season starts in December, with the ATP and WTA Tours resuming at the end of the month. The first major is the Australian Open in mid-January, with the French Open starting in late May and Wimbledon in early July. The US Open rounds off the Grand Slams in early September. The season ends with the ATP and WTA Tour finals, followed by Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Finals - where players represent their nations in team events now nicknamed the 'World Cup of Tennis'. The ATP Tour said it "understands" why its leading players are worried about the length and demands of the season. "We're focused on strengthening the sport by building a more premium product - one that creates more prize money, and more opportunities for players," a statement to BBC Sport read. "A key part of that vision is calendar reform. "Creating a longer off-season for the players is a key objective, and we're actively exploring ways to make that a reality." Tennis players get used to playing through pain and discomfort during a long season. Japan's Naomi Osaka says she won two of her four Grand Slams while injured, adding: "I can rarely count the number of times I have felt perfect on the court. "But I do know I'm the type of person that if I'm injured, I can almost play better. "Not physically better but mentally, I'll know I have to give all my energy into every point time and time again." Of course, injuries can be too severe - and the pain too much - to play through. That is where Ruud and De Minaur believe players are being unfairly punished by the current structure. "You feel like you lose a lot if you don't show up and play - both economically, points-wise, rankings-wise and opportunity-wise," said Ruud. "I know these weeks and months are really important for the remainder of the year and for my career. "Of course, if my leg is broken, I won't play. But it's tough." The ATP said there are "protections in place" for injured players, pointing toits Baseline programme,externalwhich seeks to spread wealth further down the tour. "Players ultimately have the freedom to choose where they compete, and for many years we've had financial incentives in place to encourage participation at the top events - because that's what fans want to see," it added. "'We continue to work to strike the right balance between performance, recovery, and opportunity, for all players.' Nineteen events count towards ATP rankings every year, while the eight best players of the season also receive points at the season-ending ATP Finals. That includes: Four Grand Slams Eight mandatory Masters events Seven 'best other' tournaments - including events at ATP 500, ATP 250 and Challenger level De Minaur, who missed three Masters events in Cincinnati, Montreal and Shanghai last year because of injury, believes this unfairly punishes players. "I had to deal with that. I'm still dealing with that now," he said. "My ranking now consists of three zeros because I was injured and I couldn't play - which is ridiculous if you ask me." The WTA rankings are based on 18 tournaments, but the leading players are expected to play at least 20: Four Grand Slams Ten 1000 events Six 500 events The WTA said the structure, which was introduced last year, has not increased workload. "Over the last 10 years, data showed that players competed in an average of 20 events each year, inclusive of the Grand Slams," it said. "The new structure does not require players to commit to playing more than this average."
Playing through the pain & burnout fears - is there too much tennis?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Concerns Rise Over Player Burnout and Demands of Tennis Calendar"
Bbc News
8.6
TruthLens AI Summary
Australia's Alex de Minaur has raised alarm over the increasing physical and mental demands placed on professional tennis players, citing his recent early exit from the French Open as a consequence of feeling burned out. De Minaur, currently ranked ninth in the world, expressed concern after holding a two-set lead in a match against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik but ultimately faltering due to fatigue. His comments echo sentiments shared by other players, including Britain's Jack Draper and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, who have highlighted the exhausting nature of the current tennis calendar. The ATP and WTA Tours have acknowledged these concerns, stating that the health and well-being of players is a priority, but the question remains on how to effectively address the issue of player burnout amidst an ever-demanding schedule.
The tennis season stretches nearly 11 months, with players like men's world number one Jannik Sinner and top women's player Aryna Sabalenka participating in 79 and 70 matches respectively across multiple tournaments. De Minaur noted the lack of adequate rest, stating that he has had minimal time off before immediately transitioning into pre-season training. This relentless cycle of competition leaves players feeling pressured to perform despite injuries or fatigue, as missing tournaments can have significant economic and ranking repercussions. While the ATP claims to have protections for injured players, including financial incentives to encourage participation, De Minaur argues that the current ranking system penalizes those unable to compete due to injury. The WTA, on the other hand, maintains that their tournament structure has not increased the workload for players, as data indicates an average of 20 events per year over the past decade. As discussions for calendar reform continue, the tennis community remains anxious about finding a balance between performance and player well-being.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the growing concerns among top tennis players regarding the demanding nature of their sport, particularly focusing on the risks of burnout and the physical toll of an extensive tournament schedule. It reflects a broader conversation in professional sports about athlete well-being, mental health, and the sustainability of competitive careers.
Concerns of Burnout and Physical Strain
The players mentioned, including Alex de Minaur and Iga Swiatek, express a shared sentiment about the increasing physical and mental demands placed on them by the current tournament calendar. De Minaur's experience of feeling burned out, especially after leading in a match, underscores the strain athletes endure. This sentiment is echoed by other players, creating a collective narrative that highlights the unsustainable nature of the current situation in professional tennis.
Implications for Player Careers
De Minaur's statement regarding the potential shortening of player careers due to mental burnout raises significant concerns. It suggests that if the current trends continue, we may see a decrease in the longevity of top players' careers, which could impact the sport's future. This assertion is critical as it points to a need for reform in how tournaments are scheduled and how player health is prioritized.
Response from Governing Bodies
The ATP and WTA have acknowledged these concerns, indicating that they are aware of the players' struggles. However, the effectiveness of their responses remains to be seen. The article hints at a potential disconnect between the governing bodies and the players' experiences, suggesting that while the organizations recognize the issues, concrete actions to alleviate them are necessary.
Broader Context in Sports
This article resonates with ongoing discussions in various sports about athlete welfare. As more athletes speak out about their struggles, there is a growing expectation for sports organizations to take these concerns seriously and implement changes. The focus on burnout and mental health in tennis mirrors similar dialogues in other sports, highlighting a cultural shift towards prioritizing athlete well-being.
Potential Economic and Social Impact
If the concerns raised in the article lead to significant changes in the tennis calendar, there could be wide-ranging impacts. Adjustments to tournament schedules may influence revenue streams for organizers and sponsors, and could also affect viewership if top players are no longer participating as frequently. Additionally, addressing player welfare could enhance the sport's image, attracting more fans and fostering a healthier environment for athletes.
Audience Engagement
The article seems to appeal to a wide audience, particularly those who follow tennis and are concerned about athlete welfare. By addressing burnout, it taps into a growing awareness of mental health issues, likely resonating with fans who appreciate a more humane approach to sports.
Market Implications
While the article focuses on tennis, the implications of burnout and mental health awareness extend to broader economic contexts. Companies that sponsor athletes or invest in sports may need to consider these factors in their marketing strategies. Additionally, player health can affect stock prices of organizations involved in tennis, especially if they are perceived as failing to protect their athletes.
Power Dynamics in Sports
This discussion around player health and burnout reflects larger power dynamics in professional sports. It brings attention to the need for governance structures that prioritize athlete welfare, which can be a critical issue in maintaining the integrity and attractiveness of the sport.
This analysis indicates that the article is a credible reflection of current concerns in professional tennis. The emphasis on mental health and burnout is a vital topic that resonates with wider societal issues, making the article relevant and significant.