Why Tennis' Off-Season Needs to Be Longer
The off-season for both ATP and WTA players is four weeks long. In a professional tennis player’s schedule, four weeks probably feels like an eternity; those could be four different events to win points and increase their ranking. When compared to other sports, however, a four-week long off-season is miniscule. Tennis’ almost year-round schedule needs to be shortened. Here’s why.
Lengthening the off-season would improve players’ games
Four weeks is not enough time to iron out big weaknesses in a player’s game. Using a real-world player, let’s construct a hypothetical scenario to show the benefits of the off-season: Coco Gauff. Any fan of the 18-year-old knows that despite her obvious skill and immense potential, she has a glaring weakness in her game: her forehand. Gauff’s forehand, at its worst, is prone to breaking down and spraying errors. Gauff has a busy schedule; having played in 16 events this year so far (including all four Grand Slams), she almost certainly doesn’t have a lot of time to rework her forehand into a better shot. Additionally, matches aren’t the place for her to hone any new technique that she may learn. The environment’s stakes are too high for a young, still up-and-coming player like Gauff to commit anything to muscle memory. There is no time for a player to iron out any technique weaknesses except for the off-season. Here’s the problem: the off-season is too short to make any lasting technical impact. Professional players have been using the same motions on their strokes for years. Four weeks of practice is not enough to undo that muscle memory. Lengthening the off-season would help players fix their technical flaws, leading to more complete players and, consequently, better tennis.
Lengthening the off-season would reduce injury and burnout
Playing day-in, day-out tennis for 48 weeks out of 52 puts players at a risk for two types of dangerous afflictions: injuries and burnout. Years of consistent running, stopping, sliding, jumping, and quickly changing directions causes wear and tear on the body. A lengthened period of rest would allow players to fully recover and not feel pressured to return to the sport as fast as possible. Furthermore, players would be able to prepare more carefully to prevent injuries before the season starts again. This change would extend the longevity of a player’s career; less injuries and more ample recoveries means less barricades between a player and their goals (and the court). On a related note, burnout can entirely change the momentum of someone’s career. A poor showing in a couple of events can lead to a bad season, which can shake a player’s confidence and worsen their performance on-court. Extending the off-season gives players a chance to psychologically reset and be fresh for the new season, allowing them to be more focused, relaxed, and overall happy in their matches. With the sport’s newfound interest with mental health, an extension of the off-season should be seriously considered.
Lengthening the off-season would lead to better tennis and better, more focused players. As fans, the wait may be more difficult, but the beginning of the season would be all the more exciting. We love tennis players, and we want to see them play at their best for as long as possible. Why not give them a better chance to do so?