The intensity of the tennis calendar has come under fire over the past year, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Both rising stars, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, have expressed their concerns regarding the overwhelming number of tournaments that players are now expected to enter. However, they have not escaped criticism for their remarks; Alcaraz, for instance, faced accusations of hypocrisy due to his participation in exhibition matches.
In light of this ongoing debate, former Grand Slam finalist Karolina Muchova has also weighed in on the matter, providing her perspective on the state of the current tennis schedule.
Muchova, who has faced significant challenges throughout her career, including numerous injuries, spoke candidly to Czech Forbes about various issues affecting players today. As she aims to heal during the off-season, she specifically targeted the tennis schedule, labeling it as ‘completely extreme.’
"I completely agree with this assessment. The demands are indeed excessive," Muchova stated, emphasizing the rigid structure players must adhere to. "When you finish a season ranked in the Top 20, many people suggest you take a break. However, the regulations are quite strict. I am obligated to participate in six mandatory WTA 500 tournaments alongside all WTA 1000 events, which often extend over two weeks, in addition to all the Grand Slam tournaments. If there were no penalties involved, I would likely fly to Australia at the beginning of the year and only return in November."
As the conversation continued, Muchova highlighted the financial repercussions players face, revealing that earlier this year, she incurred a $15,000 fine despite being sidelined due to injury. "The higher your ranking, the heftier the fines," she explained. "For skipping a 'five hundred' tournament while I was ranked 16th, I faced a penalty of fifteen thousand dollars. This is a significant amount, especially when you consider that players in the top five make different earnings. Furthermore, fines still apply even when injuries prevent participation, which has been my situation."
Muchova went on to remark, "There are certainly more unreasonable rules in place. The best female players tend to withdraw from tournaments more frequently to prioritize their health, which is a wise decision. Yet, those in the top 10 earn significantly more compared to lower-ranked players, who sometimes compete even when they are in poor physical condition."
The topic then shifted to prize money, particularly at Grand Slam events. Despite the US Open announcing record prize money for 2025, many players remain dissatisfied. This discontent arises from reports indicating that less than 20% of total tournament revenue is distributed among the players. Earlier in the year, a group of top 10 players even sent a letter to the major tournaments expressing their concerns.
Currently ranked 19th in the world, Muchova also supports the idea of increasing the share of prize money awarded to players. "I agree wholeheartedly. Tournaments are becoming increasingly lengthy, with nearly all Grand Slams commencing on Sundays, providing an extra day of income for these events," she noted. "When you compare our revenue share to other sports, it becomes evident how minimal it is.
People might see the headline that the US Open champion won five million dollars, but that’s just one individual out of potentially two hundred, including qualifiers. When you consider taxes—both in the U.S. and back home—the actual amount that players take home is significantly reduced.
As for her own performance, Muchova experienced a mixed season in 2025, managing to reach the quarterfinals at the US Open and the semifinals at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Nevertheless, the 2023 French Open finalist has only secured one WTA title thus far in her career, a statistic she hopes to improve upon next year. She is set to kick off her 2026 season at the Brisbane International before heading to the Australian Open.
What do you think about the current tennis schedule? Do you believe changes are necessary in how prize money is distributed?
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