Tennis Stars Pushed to Brink by Grueling Schedule and Climate

As of October 9th, 2025, the tennis world is grappling with a growing crisis over the sport's demanding schedule and the impact of extreme weather conditions on player health and performance. In recent weeks, several top ATP and WTA stars, including Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune, have spoken out about the toll the grueling calendar is taking.

Fritz, who suffered a straight-set loss at the Shanghai Masters, conceded that the "brutal conditions" had pushed him beyond his limits, saying he needed a short break to "recharge." Rune, meanwhile, directly challenged tournament officials over the lack of a heat-related policy, asking "Do you want a player to die on the court?" after suffering from heat exhaustion.

Experts have echoed the players' concerns, with The Athletic's David Law stating that the current circuit is "not fit for purpose." Colleague Matt Roberts noted that even the world's top athletes are being "absolutely exhausted" by the combination of end-of-season fatigue, humid conditions, and lengthy rallies.

Looking ahead, Roberts believes the tennis calendar will "inevitably look very different" in the coming decades as the sport is forced to adapt to the realities of a warming planet. He warned that while Daniil Medvedev's dramatic "someone's going to die" comment at the US Open may have been hyperbolic, it reflects a growing sense of alarm over the direction the sport is heading.