Tennis Tour Needs Change: Jack Draper Speaks Out on Injuries
World number nine Jack Draper is calling for a review of the ATP Tour's packed calendar, warning that young players' careers are at risk due to the current schedule. This comes after Holger Rune's serious injury, which left him in tears.
“We are pushing our bodies to do things that they aren't supposed to in elite sport...”
World number nine Jack Draper is calling for a review of the ATP Tour's packed calendar, warning that young players are at risk of burnout and injury unless changes are made. Draper's comments come after Holger Rune's season-ending Achilles injury.
The 23-year-old Briton believes the tour's demanding schedule is taking a toll on players' bodies. “We are pushing our bodies to do things that they aren't supposed to in elite sport,” Draper said on social media. “The tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are going to achieve some sort of longevity.”
Draper's concerns are echoed by fellow top players, including Taylor Fritz, who notes that the sport is seeing more injuries and burnout than ever before. “Because balls, courts, conditions have slowed down a lot, making the weekly grind even more physically demanding and tough on the body,” Fritz said.
The Professional Tennis Players' Association has also weighed in, filing a lawsuit against the sport's governing bodies in March and describing the situation with the calendar as “unsustainable.” Several women's players, including Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, and Daria Kasatkina, have struggled with health and fitness concerns in recent weeks.
Several women's players have been plagued by health issues during the Asian swing, including Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, Daria Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina, and Paula Badosa. Meanwhile, tennis players like Holger Rune have also faced setbacks, with Rune suffering a suspected torn Achilles in Stockholm that left him in tears.
The physical demands of tennis inevitably take a toll on players' bodies. Draper, who's currently nursing an arm injury that forced him out of the U.S. Open, acknowledged that physical issues are a given in the sport.
With the grueling schedule and intense competition, players are pushing their bodies to the limit, making injuries and health concerns a constant concern.
"Injuries are going to happen,” the 23-year-old Draper said on social media.
“We are pushing our bodies to do things that they aren't supposed to in elite sport. We have so many incredible younger guys on the tour right now and I'm proud to be a part of that.
“However, the tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are going to achieve some sort of longevity.”
Taylor Fritz Backs Call for Change Amid Injury Concerns
Taylor Fritz agrees with Jack Draper's sentiments, echoing the need for change in the tennis schedule after a season marred by injuries and player burnout, including Novak Djokovic's injury in their exhibition match in Riyadh.
“Facts, also seeing more injuries and burnout now than ever before,” the world number four said.
“Because balls, courts, conditions have slowed down a lot, making the weekly grind even more physically demanding and tough on the body.”
Iga Swiatek, currently ranked world number two, has expressed her concerns about the demanding tennis schedule, stating that it would be wise for her to prioritize her health by reducing her commitments. The Polish tennis star believes that the current structure of the tour is “too long and too intense,“ taking a toll on players' physical and mental well-being.
Carlos Alcaraz, the men's world number one, shares Iga Swiatek's sentiments, hinting that the schedule is unsustainable. However, Alcaraz recently participated in the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia, where he lost to Jannik Sinner in the final. When questioned about the apparent inconsistency, Alcaraz seemed to brush off concerns, joking about tournament organizers allegedly favoring him and Sinner.
The debate highlights the challenges faced by top tennis players, who must balance their competitive schedules with the need to protect their physical and mental health. Both Swiatek and Alcaraz have spoken out about the pressures of the tour, with Swiatek suggesting that she might skip some mandatory tournaments to prioritize her well-being.
“It's not really demanding mentally (compared to) when we're having such long events like two weeks or two and a half weeks,” the six-time Grand Slam champion said last week.
Injuries are going to happen… we are pushing our bodies to do things they aren’t supposed to in elite sport. We have so many incredible younger guys on the tour right now and I’m proud to be apart of that, however, the tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are gonna…
— jack draper (@jackdraper0) October 18, 2025
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, has filed a lawsuit against major tennis governing bodies, citing an “unsustainable” calendar and accusing them of exploiting players through anti-competitive practices and monopolizing professional tennis. The lawsuit claims the governing bodies suppress competition, limit player earnings and enforce restrictive ranking systems.
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