Extended break for Veronika Kudermetova fuels criticism of WTA calendar: “Damaging for women’s health”

Former top-10 Veronika Kudermetova has used her current injury break to publicly criticise the WTA calendar, questioning its physical demands while stepping away from competition after surgery at the end of 2025.

The Russian, who has been sidelined for the 2026 season so far, has turned her extended absence into a broader reflection on professional tennis, including prize money distribution and structural governance issues within the sport.

Kudermetova’s last competitive appearance came at the WTA Finals, where she won the doubles title alongside Elise Mertens, while her most recent singles match was earlier in the Asian swing in 2025. Since then, she has remained outside competition, with no confirmed return date and a ranking that has dropped to No. 87 due to inactivity.

Speaking to Ubitennis, Kudermetova stressed that her recovery remains on track but deliberately without urgency. “For now, my recovery is going as planned according to medical indicators, but I prefer not to rush things,” she said.

The former world No. 9 has not competed in 2025 and is set to miss the French Open. There is also no clarity over whether she will return for Wimbledon in late June, although she acknowledges the importance of taking time away from competition. “Tennis is only a small part of life,” she said.

A significant part of Kudermetova’s reflection focuses on the structure of the WTA calendar, which continues to be a subject of internal debate across women’s tennis. The season spans close to ten months, with mandatory tournaments and limited recovery windows between major events, particularly at the highest level.

Her criticism is direct and centred on player welfare rather than results or scheduling preference. “This calendar is damaging for women’s health,” she said.

She expanded further on the long-term implications of that structure, pointing to the broader physical burden placed on athletes. “A tight calendar with mandatory tournaments, even if limited, is harmful for women’s health, not to mention preparation for pregnancy and childbirth,” she said.

Kudermetova also suggested the debate is not theoretical but increasingly active among players themselves. “Many of us are already talking about it,” she said.

Alongside scheduling concerns, Kudermetova addressed the ongoing debate around prize money distribution in professional tennis. The issue has resurfaced repeatedly in recent seasons, particularly regarding the gap between tournament revenue and the percentage allocated to players.

Her position reflects a broader sentiment within the tour regarding value distribution. “It is difficult not to agree with the players on this issue,” she said. “When you look at the distribution between players and organisers, it is clear it is unfair for the players who generate those revenues.”

The Russian also referenced how similar disputes have been resolved in other professional sports, suggesting negotiation rather than confrontation as the likely path forward. The issue remains unresolved, particularly at Grand Slam level, where revenue structures differ significantly from regular tour events.

Kudermetova also revisited the Holger Rune-related controversy, which stemmed from a media interview that later circulated publicly under disputed conditions. She clarified that the issue was not intentional but linked to how the interview was handled.

“The conversation was private and I was promised the cameras would be off, but that turned out not to be the case,” the former top-10 said. “My mistake was trusting the interview without checking it before publication.”

Beyond controversy, she also spoke about personal dynamics within the WTA Tour, describing relationships as largely professional rather than personal due to the competitive nature of the circuit. She acknowledged that close friendships are rare but not absent, depending on individual circumstances and partnerships.

Kudermetova also addressed her sister Polina’s decision to change sporting nationality to Uzbekistan, describing it as unexpected but definitive. “It was a real surprise. I simply couldn’t believe it,” she said. “But it is a done deal. I have no right to judge her. She is still my sister, and I wish her the best.”