Overview
- The world No. 1 said she will miss some tournaments this year to manage her workload, acknowledging likely fines and ranking-point deductions under WTA rules.
- WTA regulations require entries into four Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000s and six WTA 500s, and Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek were docked points in 2025 for falling short on 500 events.
- Sabalenka beat Madison Keys 6-3, 6-3 after earlier defeating Sorana Cirstea, moving into the Brisbane International semifinals to face Karolina Muchova.
- She argued the season is too long and physically taxing, citing injuries across the tour, heavy balls, and her own stretches of playing while sick or exhausted in 2025.
- The WTA has said athlete welfare is a top priority, while Elena Rybakina backed concerns about the packed schedule and expressed skepticism that significant change is coming.