Aryna Sabalenka reveals 2026 schedule plans ahead of Australian Open, as four-time Grand Slam winner set to swerve rules
By Leon Imber
Updated 09/01/2026 at 16:31 GMT
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Aryna Sabalenka said she will manage her schedule this season in order to protect her health, despite knowing she could receive fines for swerving events. Sabalenka was one of a number of high-profile stars to not meet the quota specified by the WTA for event participation last season, but said she still struggled with the frequency at which she was playing.
'Insane' tennis schedule will force Sabalenka to manage her 2026 schedule differently
Video credit: SNTV
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka accepted she may be fined for taking on a reduced 2026 season schedule in order to "protect" her health.
WTA regulations state that eligible players must compete in at least six WTA 500 events in a season - and must participate in all WTA 1000 events, as well as the four Grand Slams.
Sabalenka was docked ranking points last season after playing in just three WTA 500 events - Brisbane, Stuttgart and Berlin - while world No. 2 Iga Swiatek was another player who failed to compete at the required six WTA 500 competitions.
Speaking after her straight-sets victory over Sorana Cirstea in the third round of the Brisbane International on Thursday, Sabalenka spoke about the need to manage her schedule this year after a demanding 2025 campaign.
"The rules are quite tricky with mandatory events, but I'm still skipping a couple of events in order to protect my body, because I struggled a lot last season," Sabalenka said.
"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 by the end of the season.
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"But it's tricky to do that. You cannot skip 1000 events. It's really tricky, and I think that's insane what they do. I think they just follow their interests, but they're not focusing on protecting all of us."
Sabalenka is one of many high-profile stars to discuss the intense schedule, alongside Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.
The Belarusian hunts her third Australian Open title in Melbourne when the season-opening Grand Slam gets underway on January 18 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Her victory against Cirstea was not quite as plain-sailing as her 48-minute triumph over Cristina Bucsa in the previous round, but the four-time major champion still managed to progress with little fuss in a 78-minute 6-3 6-3 win.
"She’s an incredible player, always pushing me really hard," Sabalenka said in her on-court interview. "Especially in the second set, it was really great from her.
"I’m super happy I was able to close this match in straight sets. I was just trying to focus on my game, on going into this match and the things I have to do to get the win."
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Having won the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, Sabalenka looked on course to claim a third-straight title last year before she was thwarted by Madison Keys in a gruelling final - the American claiming her maiden Grand Slam title.
The two meet again in Brisbane on Friday for a quarter-final clash.
Watch and stream top tennis action, including the 2026 Australian Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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