Jessica Pegula to Lead WTA Tour's Calendar Reform Efforts

New 13-person panel will suggest changes to women's tennis schedule, rankings, and event requirements

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Jessica Pegula, the 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, will chair a new WTA Tour panel tasked with recommending changes to the women's tennis calendar, rankings points rules, and event participation requirements. The panel aims to address player concerns over the sport's long season and short offseason, which contribute to injuries and burnout.

Why it matters

For years, both women's and men's tennis players have complained about the grueling schedule, lack of offseason, and other factors that lead to physical and mental strain. This new WTA initiative is an attempt to address these longstanding issues and create a more sustainable calendar for top professional players.

The details

The 13-person 'Tour Architecture Council' will make recommendations to the WTA Board, with the goal of approving a revised calendar setup for 2027. The council will first focus on areas where the WTA has direct authority, before identifying longer-term opportunities that will require coordination with the ATP men's tour and Grand Slam tournaments.

  • WTA chair Valerie Camillo sent the letter outlining the new council on February 17, 2026.
  • The council aims to have a revised calendar approved for the 2027 season.

The players

Jessica Pegula

The No. 5-ranked American player and 2024 U.S. Open runner-up, who will chair the new council.

Valerie Camillo

The WTA Tour chair who announced the creation of the new council in a letter to players and tournament officials.

Victoria Azarenka

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

Maria Sakkari

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

Katie Volynets

An American player currently ranked No. 96, who will serve on the council as an active player.

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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 (wbal.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 (wbal.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 (wbal.com)

“The season is definitely insane.”

— Aryna Sabalenka (wbal.com)

What’s next

The new Tour Architecture Council will begin meeting to develop recommendations for the WTA Board, with the goal of approving a revised calendar setup for the 2027 season.

The takeaway

This initiative by the WTA Tour represents a significant effort to address longstanding player concerns over the grueling schedule and lack of offseason in women's professional tennis. By empowering top players like Jessica Pegula to lead the reform process, the WTA is signaling a commitment to creating a more sustainable calendar that prioritizes the health and well-being of its athletes.