If it seems as though the 2025 professional tennis year started pretty much immediately right after 2024 ended, that’s because that’s exactly what happens in a sport where the offseason really does not leave players much time to be “off.”. Actually, for tennis, 2025 began while the calendar still read 2024.
“I do, obviously, wish that the offseason was longer, 100%,” said 2023 U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff, who began her “year” by helping the American team win the United Cup title in Sydney, more than a week after that competition began on Dec. 27. “But it is what it is.”.
When the Australian Open gets going Sunday morning in Melbourne (Saturday night EST), players will have tuned up by playing in various events that followed a period of practice and work in the gym that was longer for some than others. “I wouldn’t say there is even an offseason anymore,” 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist Denis Shapovalov said. “The season is never-ending.”.
For the record, last season officially and finally wrapped up for good on Dec. 22, when Brazil's João Fonseca won the ATP Next Gen Finals in Saudi Arabia. He was back on a court later in December for the Challenger Tour stop in Canberra, Australia — which he also won.
The golf season is similar, essentially running non-stop, without the multiple months off offered by team sports. “For a long time, we (have been) fighting to have a longer offseason. To be healthy … you at least need a two-month offseason. So it would be great to finish a little bit earlier,” said Conchita Martinez, a former player who won the 1994 Wimbledon championship and is now the coach of Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.
