New Delhi: U.S. Open runner-up in 2024, Jessica Pegula, will lead an expert panel of 13 persons to suggest changes to the women’s tennis calendar, rankings points rules and the requirements about competing in certain events, mentions a report in news agency PTI.

The report further says that as per a letter sent by the WTA chair Valerie Camillo to all the players and tournament officials, this decision has been finalised on Tuesday, February 17. For number of years, tennis players, which include men and women, have complained that the sport’s season is too long with the offseason being too short.

They also lamented other factors that contribute to the injuries and burnout faced by the players. Camillo further said that Tour Architecture Council will make recommendations to the WTA Board; she hopes a revised setup can be approved for 2027.

‘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.’

Camillo, who became chair in November, wrote in the letter that: ‘We are very open to looking broadly at a host of potential solutions to this. The idea is: We go in there with a very open mind and open dialogue,’ Camillo told.

‘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,’ we want to be timely, we want to be focused on making an immediate impact.’

The No. 5-ranked Pegula, a 31-year-old American who will chair the council, ‘as a unique perspective as a top player (and is) widely respected for her thoughtful, collaborative approach,’ Camillo added.

(With PTI inputs)