'Evidence is clear': Players association says brutal schedule behind injuries
As the Canadian Open gets underway with several big names sidelined, it is evidence that the current tennis schedule is unsustainable, according to the PTPA.
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has attributed a series of early withdrawals from the Canadian Open to an excessively long tennis season. Names like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic are among those who have missed this year's event in Montreal. Similarly, on the women's side, Victoria McBook, Karolina Muchova, Emma Raducanu, and Jasmine Paolini have also been absent due to injuries.
Tournament organizers have noted that these late withdrawals from Masters 1000 events are indicative of a broader issue plaguing the sport.
The PTPA contends that the season's extended calendar and the addition of high-level tournaments have led to increased injury risks. According to their analysis, which spans over 30,000 professional matches analyzed over eight years, there has been a significant surge in upper-body injuries, up 42% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Furthermore, arm injuries are up by 112% this year compared to the 2025 average. The association argues that the ATP's recent decision to expand several Masters 1000 tournaments to 12-day events, which began in 2025, has reduced players' recovery time between tournaments, contributing to the heightened injury rates.
The PPTA expressed disappointment but no surprise at these absences, emphasizing that the shrinking recovery periods between tournaments are leading to more serious and earlier injuries. They stressed that such short-sighted commercial interests should not compromise player health, stressing that protecting players extends beyond the current generation to safeguarding the future of tennis.
The association urged for a health-focused and data-driven approach to reforming the tennis calendar, including involving players in the scheduling process and reducing mandatory tournament commitments to ensure adequate rest periods.
The ATP has acknowledged player input on scheduling but is working to incentivize an acceptable number of matches throughout the season. However, neither the ATP nor the WTA Tours have responded to requests for comment on the PTPA's proposals.
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