Tennis Scheduling Headaches: Kim Clijsters Offers a Bold Take While Players Push Back
The debate over tennis’ relentless and packed calendar has reached a boiling point, with many players vocalizing their frustrations. But former world number one Kim Clijsters has delivered a perspective that challenges the narrative — and it’s stirring controversy.
A number of top players, including Iga Swiatek, have publicly criticized the current WTA schedule, especially highlighting the difficulties during events like the China Open. Swiatek has repeatedly pointed out how overwhelming the packed tennis calendar has become, suggesting it’s detrimental to players’ health and performance.
However, not everyone agrees. Carlos Alcaraz, who also voiced concerns, faced accusations of hypocrisy for his remarks, fueling even more debate. The grueling calendar has visibly impacted tournaments too; Andy Roddick recently spoke out after several players withdrew from Shanghai due to burnout and injuries.
But here’s where it gets controversial—Kim Clijsters doesn’t fully buy into the outcry. During an interview on the Tennis Bolshoi podcast, Clijsters hinted that complaints about the schedule are nothing new. When she served on the WTA Players Council in 2003-2004, the calls for change were just as loud. She suggests that while frustration is valid, simply shortening the tennis season isn’t a straightforward fix.
According to Clijsters, the crux of the problem is the ranking points system. She explains that to create a shorter, more manageable season, the entire structure governing ranking points must be overhauled. Without such a fundamental shift, trimming the calendar isn’t feasible.
Moreover, Clijsters highlights a critical and often overlooked aspect: many players, especially those ranked lower, rely on a fuller schedule. The current lineup of tournaments provides essential opportunities for them to compete, earn prize money, and improve their rankings. Removing or drastically reducing events could hurt these players’ career progressions.
Clijsters remarks, “There will always be complaints about the calendar. Some players are unhappy regardless. But the reason the schedule is so long is because it serves a purpose—it gives many players chances to compete.”
She also defends tournament organizers, saying their efforts help create jobs and increase prize pools. In her view, tennis’ demanding calendar is simply part of the professional game’s reality, and not all players are aiming for fewer tournaments. Many benefit from more opportunities to play.
“It’s impossible to satisfy everyone,” Clijsters notes. She points out that tournaments must extend into November and December to accommodate players who don’t go far in bigger events and need more matches to gain experience and maintain income.
So, the schedule’s length is a double-edged sword: while star players may feel overwhelmed, many others depend on the volume of tournaments for their livelihoods. This raises an important question—are calls for a shorter season truly considering the full spectrum of player needs?
What’s left on the 2025 Calendar?
Despite being October, the tennis season for 2025 is far from over. Currently, major events are being held in China: the ATP 1000 tournament in Shanghai and the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan. After these conclude, the ATP Tour still has 10 tournaments lined up, plus the Davis Cup Finals, and the WTA Tour features eight more events.
Beyond these headline tournaments, there are many lower-tier competitions, such as the ATP Challenger and WTA 125 tours. These are crucial for lower-ranked players aiming to climb the rankings ladder by gaining experience and points.
Here’s a breakdown of the remaining tournaments by level:
| Level | ATP Tour | WTA Tour |
|--------------------------|----------------------|--------------------------------------|
| 1000 | 1 (Paris Masters) | 0 |
| 500 | 2 (Vienna & Basel) | 2 (Ningbo & Tokyo) |
| 250 | 5 (Almaty, Brussels, Stockholm, Metz & Athens) | 5 (Osaka, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jiujiang & Chennai) |
| Challenger/125 | 38 | 14 |
| Finals | 2 (ATP Finals & Next Gen Finals) | 1 (WTA Finals) |
| Team Competitions | 1 (Davis Cup Finals) | 0 |
Top players aren’t obliged to participate in every tournament, but ranking rules mean stars like Swiatek must carefully navigate events around the 1000 and 500 levels to maintain or improve their standings.
In spite of the crowded calendar, several prominent players such as Jack Draper, Hubert Hurkacz, Elina Svitolina, Paula Badosa, Barbora Krejcikova, and Daria Kasatkina have already called it a season, withdrawing due to fatigue, injury, or strategic rest.
The Bigger Picture: Is There a Perfect Solution?
Clijsters’ viewpoint invites an important, perhaps uncomfortable question: Is the desire for a lighter calendar overlooking the career realities and needs of many professional players? While top stars push for fewer tournaments to preserve peak performance and health, the current system also fosters inclusivity and opportunity for a wider pool of athletes.
Is there a way to balance the needs of elite players with those grinding their way up the rankings? Or is the tennis calendar destined to remain a contentious battlefield? Let us know what you think—do you agree with Clijsters’ take, or do you side with the players demanding change? Join the conversation below and share your thoughts on the future of tennis scheduling.
