Tennis Stars Tackle Australian Open After Brief Offseason/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Australian Open 2025 kicks off Sunday in Melbourne, with players lamenting the sport’s minimal offseason. Many stars barely had time to rest or train between the 2024 season’s end in December and January’s tune-up tournaments. Despite calls for a longer break, the packed calendar continues to demand year-round commitment from athletes.
Australian Open 2025: Quick Looks
- Minimal Breaks: Players like Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff managed only brief downtime before resuming training.
- Early Start: The 2025 tennis season began in late December, just days after 2024 officially ended.
- Injury Concerns: Two players retired from early 2025 finals to avoid risking their Australian Open chances.
- Calls for Change: Former Wimbledon champ Conchita Martinez advocates a shorter season for player health.
- Hectic Schedule: Athletes juggle recovery, training, and exhibitions to stay competitive year-round.
Tennis Stars Tackle Australian Open After Brief Offseason
Deep Look
The Australian Open 2025 is set to begin Sunday in Melbourne, marking the official start of the year’s first Grand Slam. However, for tennis players, the new season already feels well underway, with many lamenting the sport’s relentless calendar that leaves little room for rest.
A Year-Round Grind
Professional tennis players enjoy one of the shortest offseasons in sports, with the 2024 season officially concluding on December 22 after the ATP Next Gen Finals in Saudi Arabia. Yet, some players, including Brazil’s João Fonseca, were back on the court competing just days later in late December.
“I wouldn’t say there is even an offseason anymore,” said Denis Shapovalov, a 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist. “The season is never-ending.”
The Challenges of Recovery and Training
Players use the brief offseason as a mix of relaxation and preparation, but the balance is challenging. Coco Gauff, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, began her 2025 campaign in late December at the United Cup in Sydney.
“I do wish the offseason was longer, 100%, but it is what it is,” Gauff admitted.
Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, revealed he spent just 1.5 weeks away from tennis after the 2024 season. “I just threw my racket in my room. I didn’t want to see it again,” he joked, emphasizing the importance of disconnecting before ramping up his training.
For players like Jasmine Paolini, the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon runner-up, the compressed timeline demands strategic planning.
“There isn’t a lot of time, so you have to figure out how to schedule things,” she said.
Injury Risks Loom
The packed calendar takes its toll. During early 2025 tune-up events, Naomi Osaka and Reilly Opelka withdrew from their respective finals, citing injury concerns and prioritizing readiness for the Australian Open.
Former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, now coaching Russian teen Mirra Andreeva, has long advocated for a two-month offseason to protect players’ health.
“For the health of the tour and the players, the season should be shorter,” Martinez said.
Hectic Lead-Up to Melbourne
Players like Ben Shelton, a former quarterfinalist at the Australian and U.S. Opens, skipped early 2025 tournaments to focus on training. Others balanced exhibitions, like Shelton’s Madison Square Garden appearance, with preparation.
“You take a bit of a break, but you need to get right back on the court and in the gym,” Shelton explained, adding that skipping competitions can leave players feeling less “match tough.”
Calls for Change Amid a Grueling Schedule
While the offseason length has been a longstanding issue, little has changed, and the problem is becoming more pronounced. With players like Alexei Popyrin describing the “hectic” schedule, there’s growing recognition that maintaining player health requires a systemic shift.
“Ideally, we’d have more time off,” Popyrin said. “But the schedule is so demanding, you need your body to be ready no matter what.”
Looking Ahead
As players gear up for the Australian Open, their packed schedules highlight the sport’s relentless demands. With growing calls for reform, balancing the need for rest with competitive readiness remains a critical challenge for tennis professionals.
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