Sensing a collision between common sense and the calendar, Aryna Sabalenka says she will take fines rather than burn out chasing every event.
The world No 1 warned reporters she expects to skip tournaments again this season, calling the schedule “insane” while balancing form, health and a run-up to the Australian Open that already has big names asking for change.
Sabalenka Calls The Schedule ‘Insane’
“The season is definitely insane, and that’s not good for all of us, as you see so many players getting injured.”
Aryna Sabalenka
Under current WTA obligations, top women are expected to play the four Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000 tournaments and 6 WTA 500 events, and the penalties for missing mandatory tournaments range from ranking-point deductions to monetary fines for late withdrawals or non-compliance.
Sabalenka pointed out that in 2025 she entered only 3 WTA 500 events — Brisbane, Stuttgart and Berlin — and became one of several elite players, including Iga Świątek, to be docked points after skipping required tournaments that crammed a long season.
She made clear why she will continue to skip some stops, saying, “I’m skipping a couple of events in order to protect my body because I struggled a lot last season,” and adding that she often played while sick or totally exhausted from overplaying during the previous year.
Why Players Are Pushing Back
Players have steadily raised concerns about an 11-month calendar, heavy balls and the cumulative toll of travel and matches, with the tour’s late-season Asian swing intensifying criticism as injuries piled up across both circuits and medical lists grew longer than fans liked.
Iga Świątek has described the mandatory rules as creating “a madness,” and male stars have voiced similar alarm; Carlos Alcaraz warned the load could be dangerous, while Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune also highlighted the physical stress of playing through harsh conditions.
Off-court pressure has amplified the debate, with the Professional Tennis Players Association filing suits and top players sending letters to the Grand Slams demanding more say, better pay and protections; as Jannik Sinner said, “We had good conversations with the Grand Slams at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, so it was disappointing when they said they cannot act on our proposals until other issues are resolved.”
Sabalenka’s Strategy And What’s Next
Sabalenka justified selective scheduling as a health decision rather than game-playing strategy, insisting she would rather be fined than risk long-term damage, and she warned that rules which make skipping a 1000-level event impossible leave players in an unfair bind between points and wellbeing.
Many players also stress that exhibitions and non-tour events demand less intensity and pressure; Sabalenka’s recent Dubai ‘Battle of the Sexes’ with Nick Kyrgios was framed as a lower-stress appearance that still generates income but without ranking points or the grinding demands of tour competition.
The Belarusian, a 4-time major winner, admitted she is “definitely not at my peak” yet remains a title threat as she builds toward the Australian Open, where she will meet Madison Keys in the Brisbane quarterfinals and hopes to sharpen form ahead of Melbourne’s opening Grand Slam.
The WTA has said it listens to players and that “athlete welfare will always remain a top priority,” noting engagement through the players’ council and board as it tweaks calendar structure and compensation, even as the leading names keep pushing for bigger reform.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
