Tennis Season Too Grueling? Top Players Weigh In on Mandatory Tournaments

Iga Swiatek calls for change

The WTA tour schedule is under fire, with top players like Iga Swiatek calling for changes. Iga Swiatek voices concerns about the demanding tennis schedule, suggesting top players might need to skip mandatory tournaments.

“I don't think any top player will actually be able to achieve this ... It's impossible to squeeze it in the schedule...”

World number two Iga Swiatek is considering skipping mandatory tennis tournaments due to the grueling schedule, which she believes is taking a toll on her health. The 24-year-old Polish star, a six-time Grand Slam champion, has expressed concerns about the sustainability of the current tennis calendar.

The men's and women's circuits have faced criticism due to their 11-month seasons, and both the tours have come under fresh scrutiny during the “Asian swing” with five matches at the China Open unable to be completed on Monday due to injuries.

Camila Osorio retired after she dropped the first set to Swiatek, while Lois Boisson, Zheng Qinwen, Lorenzo Musetti and Jakub Mensik were unable to complete their matches in Beijing.

“I think people are more fatigued,” six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek told reporters.

“Unfortunately, the Asian Swing is the hardest part because you feel like the season is going to finish soon, but you still need to push.

“I don't know yet how my career is going to look like in a couple years. Maybe I will have to choose some tournaments and skip them, even though they are mandatory. The WTA, with these mandatory rules, they made this pretty crazy for us.”

According to WTA rules, top players are required to participate in all four Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000 tournaments, and six WTA 500 events. Failure to comply may result in penalties, including rankings points deductions and fines. This rule aims to ensure that top players compete in key events, maintaining the integrity and competitiveness of the tour.

“I don't think any top player will actually be able to achieve this ... It's impossible to squeeze it in the schedule,” said Swiatek, who has committed to playing in all the mandatory events this year.

“We have to be smart about it, not really unfortunately care about the rules and think what's healthy for us. It's tough.”

The Women's Tennis Association prioritizes athlete welfare, incorporating player feedback through the Players' Council and WTA Board representatives to enhance the circuit structure and increase compensation. In 2024, the WTA implemented changes to improve the tour schedule and player benefits.

“These enhancements have been delivered without requiring players to commit to more events than the average number per season over the previous decade,” the WTA said.

“The new structure provides more predictability as to which events top 30 players compete in and more playing opportunities for aspiring players, while underpinning the commitment to a $400 million increase in compensation over the next 10 years.”

The WTA added it would continue to keep its tour structure under review based on feedback, while recognising that a review of the calendar requires coordination across governing bodies, including the ATP, ITF and Grand Slams.

The Professional Tennis Players' Association filed a lawsuit against the sport's governing bodies in March, with the advocacy group describing the situation as “unsustainable.”

The WTA has said the lawsuit, which also accused the governing organisations of anti-competitive practices and a disregard for player welfare, was “baseless” and defended its record of growing the women's game.

Iga Swiatek has criticised her "overwhelming" tennis schedule and said that the stars of the sport play too many matches 🎾 pic.twitter.com/KTQehUFF4Y

— TNT Sports (@tntsports) September 29, 2025

Some key developments include: 

New Ranking Protection Rule: Players now have protection for fertility planning and maternity leave, allowing them to balance their careers and personal lives.

Family Focus Program: The WTA offers support for players with family responsibilities, promoting a better work-life balance.

Maternity Fund: Financial assistance is provided to players taking maternity leave, helping them navigate this period without significant financial strain.

Increased Compensation: The WTA has boosted prize money and benefits for players, demonstrating its commitment to athlete welfare.

These changes reflect the WTA's efforts to address player concerns and create a more sustainable and supportive environment for women's tennis professionals.