In recent years, the tennis community has seen a significant shift as top players increasingly prioritize rest and recovery rather than adhering strictly to punishing tournament schedules. This change reflects a broader awareness of the physical and mental toll a demanding professional tennis career can take, especially given the long and relentless calendar.

Sloane Stephens, a prominent figure on the women’s tour, recently spoke candidly about this issue during an interview on The Player’s Box Podcast. She emphasized the importance of taking time off amidst the grueling tennis season. Stephens pointed out that the tennis tour has evolved in ways that inadvertently add to players’ stress. She explained how the extension of tournaments to two-week formats means more weeks away from home, even if players aren’t technically entering more events.

“I feel like it’s not that early! I dip out this time of year every year,” Stephens shared. “It’s a long year, especially if you play almost every week. Because many events have gone to two weeks, it means more time away from home, more downtime in between tournaments, but not necessarily the chance to rest fully. That added time at tournaments and the schedule’s demands increase the overall stress.”

She elaborated on the feeling of burnout common among players, especially when they exit events early. An early loss can leave athletes with long stretches before the next tournament but insufficient breaks to truly rest or return home. Stephens described it as a challenging limbo: “If I lose early, what am I going to do for the next 10 days? I can’t go home, but I’m not really set up to train elsewhere effectively during that time.” This ambiguity can drain not only physical energy but also mental motivation.

Stephens also praised fellow players who have taken control of their schedules to prioritize well-being. “I think it’s impressive that people are starting to take time and say, ‘I am going to take some time for myself and focus on feeling good,’” she said. This growing culture of self-care marks a notable departure from earlier eras, when the prevailing attitude often glorified relentless play and perseverance at all costs.

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) itself is responding to these concerns, especially as the 2025 Asian swing—the series of tournaments in Asia—looms on the horizon. There is consideration for revising the calendar to provide players with more ample opportunities for rest and recovery. The rationale is clear: healthier, well-rested athletes lead to better matches and a more sustainable career longevity.

Historically, tennis has been defined by rigorous schedules, with iconic figures embodying a never-stop mentality. In the mid-20th century, players like Billie Jean King and Margaret Court often competed in multiple tournaments back-to-back with little rest, driven by the sport’s evolving professional landscape and fewer support systems. The Open Era, starting in 1968, introduced more frequent tournaments and prize money but also increased physical demands. Yet, the scientific understanding of sports medicine and athlete wellness was limited compared to today.

In the 1980s and 1990s, stars such as Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, and Monica Seles showcased incredible durability but also struggled with injuries and burnout, sometimes forcing prolonged absences from the game. As tennis grew into a global, high-speed sport with exhausting travel and round-the-clock engagement from fans worldwide, the need for rest became undeniable.

The conversation around rest has become especially urgent in recent times due to the pandemic, which caused tour shutdowns in 2020. This break inadvertently forced players to re-evaluate their approaches to training, recovery, and mental health. Emerging champions like Naomi Osaka and others have openly discussed burnout and the necessity of taking “mental health breaks,” further legitimizing the dialogue around wellness in tennis.

Stephens’ call for more time off echoes a broader philosophy shifting the sport away from a win-at-all-costs mindset. “I think it would be awesome if we could get a little more time off, just to recharge and not feel like you’re running on fumes all the time,” she said. Such sentiments highlight that success is not only about talent and hard work but also about balance and self-care.

Today, players managing their schedules intelligently reflect a new chapter for tennis, one where longevity and quality of life matter deeply. The sport, with its rich history of champions pushing physical limits, now embraces a more holistic view—recognizing that the best performances come from body and mind aligned and restored. As Stephens aptly concluded, it’s almost a lighthearted farewell to the relentless grind until the next season: “It’s like, see you in January, guys!”

The tennis world is changing, not just in how players compete but in how they care for themselves. And this evolution promises not only better tennis on the courts but healthier lives off them.