SABALENKA SLAMS 'INSANE' SCHEDULE

She is ready to skip events and accept fines, ATP cuts number of mandatory tourneys

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Aryna Sabalenka signing autographs for fans after beating Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-3 in the Brisbane International last 16 on Jan 8. After the win, the world No. 1 joined a growing chorus of elite players questioning the packed tennis calendar.

(PHOTO: EPA)

BRISBANE - Hours after women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka accused tennis authorities on Jan 8 of failing to prioritise player welfare over what she called an “insane” tennis season, the men’s circuit announced a slight compromise in the number of mandatory tournaments for its players.

Speaking after beating Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-3 in the last 16 at the year-opening Brisbane International, the Belarusian four-time Grand Slam champion said she was prepared to be fined for missing mandatory tournaments in the months ahead.

The number of events in the tennis calendar has been a frequent complaint in recent months among the sport’s biggest names.

“The season is definitely insane, you see so many players getting injured and also the balls are quite heavy, so it’s a lot of struggle for all of us,” said Sabalenka, who will face Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the quarterfinals in a repeat of the 2025 Melbourne Park final.

“Even though the results were really consistent, some of the tournaments I had been playing completely sick or I’ve been really exhausted from overplaying. This season we will try to manage it a little bit better, even though they are going to fine me.