World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has spoken out about the demands of the tennis calendar, describing the current schedule as overwhelming. After reaching the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International, she admitted that the intensity of the tour is taking a toll. “The tennis schedule is insane,” Sabalenka said, making clear that she is prepared to skip certain events to protect her health and longevity in the sport.
Willingness to risk fines
Sabalenka explained that she is ready to face potential penalties if it means avoiding exhaustion or injury. “I’ll risk fines in order to skip tournaments to avoid injuries or burnout,” she stated, underlining her determination to prioritize wellbeing over strict adherence to the calendar.
Balancing preparation and competition
Despite her concerns, Sabalenka acknowledged the importance of match play ahead of the Australian Open. She expressed satisfaction at having opportunities to compete before the first Grand Slam of the year. “I’m happy to have as much competition as possible before the season-opening Grand Slam in Australia,” she said, showing that while she values preparation, she remains cautious about overloading her schedule.
Recent performance in Brisbane
Sabalenka advanced to the quarterfinals in Brisbane after defeating Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-3. She is set to face Madison Keys, almost a year after losing to her in the Australian Open final. The match serves as both a test and a reminder of the challenges she faces in balancing performance with recovery.
Her comments highlight a growing conversation in professional tennis about player welfare and the sustainability of the current calendar. Sabalenka’s stance reflects a broader concern among top athletes who are increasingly vocal about the need for reform in scheduling to ensure both competitive integrity and player health.
WTA Brisbane - Aryna Sabalenka's projected path
Sabalenka in Brisbane, ranking, and results in 2026
Ranked world no.1, the Belarussian has achieved a 2-0 win-loss record in 2026. Aryna is now competing in Brisbane where she toppled the world no.50 Cristina Bucsa 6-0 6-1 and the world no.41 Sorana Cirstea 6-3 6-3.
Aryna Sabalenka will take on the world no.7 Madison Keys in the quarter on Friday at 12:30 pm on PAT RAFTER ARENA. The head to head is 5-2 for Sabalenka.
The Belarussian won 21 titles in her career: 16 on hard courts, 3 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
