The tennis schedule is gruelling these days, and now Elina Svitolina has taken drastic action.
Recently, Jack Draper announced that he was ending his 2025 season after pulling out of the US Open with a shoulder injury and also being ruled out of the Six Kings Slam.
Beatriz Haddad Maia has also ended her 2025 on the tour, too, after dropping to her lowest ranking since 2022 amid a poor season.
It would appear that the schedule is getting too much for some players and now a former world number three has also ended her participation on the WTA Tour to place focus on getting ready for 2026.
Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images for Billie Jean King CupElina Svitolina makes emotional announcement
For fans of Svitolina, it’s bad news as the Ukrainian has announced she won’t be playing again in 2025.
The 31-year-old lost in the first round of the US Open last month but did enjoy a solid run to the quarterfinal of the French Open back in May.
Svitolina has conceded defeat in trying to keep up with the demands of the tour and has pledged to return next year after taking some much-needed time out for herself.
She posted on Instagram: “I haven’t been feeling like myself lately. I’m not in the right emotional space, and I don’t feel ready to play, so I am ending the season here.
“Over the years, I’ve learned that this sport isn’t about money, fame, or rankings—it’s about being ready to fight and to give your all. Right now, I’m simply not at the level mentally or emotionally to do that.
“Not every day has to be productive, strong, or full of energy. Some days are heavy—and that doesn’t make me weak. It just means I’m human and need time to rest, to feel, to breathe and to just be.
“So I’m giving myself the space I need to heal and recharge, instead of forcing it and when I step back on the court, I want to fight with everything I’ve got and put my best self on the court for the fans, for the game and for myself.
“Love,
“Elina ❤️”
Tennis has to do more to help the players stay at their best
Right now, the professional tennis circuit is extremely demanding.
Players have to cherry-pick their tournaments to compete at the highest level, and it’s nigh on impossible to compete in every single competition.
Svitolina has been as high as the world number three back in 2017, and even someone with that level of quality is struggling to cope with the demands.
Patrick Mouratoglou believes there is too much tennis these days, and if someone as reputable as him is saying that, then the powers that be have to look at things.
People paying to watch tennis want to see the very best players competing to the best of their ability at all times.
Right now, the schedule isn’t really set up for that concept and something has to give on the tour for the men and women in the years to come.