Jessica Pegula to lead WTA panel on improving women's tennis calendar

The 2024 U.S. Open runner-up will chair a 13-person council to recommend changes to the tour schedule, ranking points, and event requirements.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Jessica Pegula, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, will lead a new 13-person panel to suggest changes to the women's tennis calendar, rankings points rules and the requirements about competing in certain events, according to a letter sent by WTA Tour chair Valerie Camillo. The panel will focus on areas where the WTA has direct authority to drive change, while also identifying longer-term opportunities that will require broader coordination across the sport.

Why it matters

For years, tennis players have complained that the sport's season is too long and the offseason is too short, contributing to injuries and burnout. The new council aims to make the women's tennis calendar more sustainable for players at the highest level.

The details

The WTA Tour Architecture Council will make recommendations to the WTA Board, with the goal of approving a revised setup for 2027. In addition to Pegula, the council includes active players Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sakkari, and Katie Volynets, as well as WTA officials, tournament directors, and other stakeholders.

  • The council will make recommendations to the WTA Board, with the goal of approving a revised setup for 2027.

The players

Jessica Pegula

The No. 5-ranked American player who will chair the council, described as having 'a unique perspective as a top player' and being 'widely respected for her thoughtful, collaborative approach'.

Valerie Camillo

The WTA Tour chair who sent the letter announcing the new council.

Victoria Azarenka

A two-time Australian Open champion and former world No. 1 who is an active player on the council.

Maria Sakkari

A two-time Grand Slam semifinalist who has been ranked as high as No. 3 and is an active player on the council.

Katie Volynets

An American player currently ranked No. 96 who is an active player on the council.

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What they’re saying

“There has been a clear sentiment across the Tour that the current calendar does not feel sustainable for players given the physical, professional, and personal pressures of competing at the highest level.”

— Valerie Camillo, WTA Tour chair (whec.com)

“The idea is: We go in there with a very open mind and open dialogue. We're not going to solve the entire world (immediately). … The reason we don't want to wait for, 'Hey, let's do this as a collective system,' (is) we want to be timely, we want to be focused on making an immediate impact.”

— Valerie Camillo, WTA Tour chair (whec.com)

“It's one of the toughest sports, just when you combine, not just the physicality of it, but the schedule, the loneliness, the mental side, how tough it is to go out there and compete, week-in and week-out, by yourself.”

— Jessica Pegula (whec.com)

“The season is definitely insane.”

— Aryna Sabalenka (whec.com)

What’s next

The WTA Tour Architecture Council will make recommendations to the WTA Board, with the goal of approving a revised setup for 2027.

The takeaway

The creation of this new council demonstrates the WTA's commitment to addressing the concerns of players about the grueling tennis calendar and finding solutions to make the women's tour more sustainable in the long run.