Imagine being a professional tennis player with a season that lasts almost the entire year—from January to November—with only four to five weeks of rest! Andrea Petkovic, once ranked ninth in the world and now a media star, reveals that the tennis season is a nightmare for players. The pressure is constant, the days are longer and physically exhausting, and mentally it’s getting harder to cope. Even though she’s now a commentator and host, Andrea says she respects players even more than before because she knows how tough it is to endure this pace.
Mental health issues in tennis aren’t new, but they’re now openly discussed. Andrea admits she had such periods herself, but players used to have to deal with it alone. The season is so long it’s almost abnormal—it starts in January and goes until November with minimal breaks. Tournaments last two weeks, and players hope the season will be shorter, but that’s tough because tennis has three different organizations: ATP, WTA, and ITF, plus Grand Slams as separate bodies. Andrea believes the right path is to have one umbrella organization with a healthy financial structure.
She had a tough time in her career when she felt she couldn’t compete with younger players anymore. She took a four-month break, rested, and realized she still wanted to play. Players like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer managed long careers because they knew how to rest. Sascha Zverev, at 28, plays many tournaments and struggles to keep up, so he’ll have to learn to play fewer and smarter.
Andrea isn’t shy about saying she’d change the system and rules of the game, but with a smile, she adds the only rule she’d change is that only she can win! Regarding this year’s Wimbledon, she’s confident Novak can win the title, though Carlos Alcaraz is a slight favorite. Physical fitness will be key, as we saw what happened to Dimitrov and his muscle injury.
So, dear tennis fans, next time you watch a match, remember behind every point is a year of hellish work, pressure, and a battle with one’s own body and mind. Got a favorite tennis moment or think the season’s too long? Drop a comment—maybe Andrea will read it and have a laugh with you!
