Jessica Pegula, one of the top players on the WTA Tour, is stepping into a significant leadership role off the court as she takes charge of the newly created WTA Tour Architecture Council. The panel has been established to analyse and recommend improvements to the women’s tennis calendar and core tour rules in response to growing concerns about player workload and participation requirements.
The new 13‑member council comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the WTA schedule, as a wave of player withdrawals and retirements at recent events has exposed the strain on athletes. At the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, a high‑level WTA 1000 tournament, several leading players pulled out either before play began or during matches, raising questions about how the current structure affects physical and mental wellbeing.
Pegula, currently ranked No. 5 in the world and a six‑year veteran of the WTA Player Council, brings both experience and respect within the sport to her new role. She has spoken openly about the demands of the modern tour, noting that players often compete for 10 to 11 months of the year and that maintaining physical and mental health is now a primary concern.
The council’s mandate includes developing practical recommendations that could be adopted by the WTA Board in time for the 2027 season. Initial efforts will focus on areas where the WTA has direct control, but the group will also identify longer‑term opportunities that involve wider coordination across the sport.
Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sakkari, and other active players will also be part of the council, alongside WTA leadership and tournament representatives. Their goal is to address concerns about the stacked calendar, mandatory event participation, and the toll the current schedule places on elite competitors.
The formation of the Tour Architecture Council represents a major step toward reconciling players’ needs with the commercial and competitive priorities of the WTA. As the sport evolves, the council’s work could shape a more sustainable future for women’s tennis by balancing top‑level competition with athlete wellbeing.
