Jessica Pegula, the 2024 US Open runner-up, will chair a new 13-person WTA Tour Architecture Council to address tennis' grueling schedule and player welfare concerns. The panel includes active players Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sakkari, and Katie Volynets, along with tournament officials and industry representatives.

For years, players have complained about tennis' excessive season length and insufficient offseason, leading to injuries and burnout. WTA chair Valerie Camillo emphasized that the council will first focus on areas where the WTA has direct authority to drive change, while also identifying longer-term opportunities requiring broader coordination across the sport.

The No. 5-ranked Pegula brings a unique perspective as both a top player and someone widely respected for her thoughtful, collaborative approach. Her appointment comes amid growing concerns about player health, with top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka recently announcing plans to skip tour stops to protect her body. The council aims to propose revised calendar structures for potential approval in 2027.