Aryna Sabalenka has sparked a debate over sanctions for players who skip mandatory tournaments after losing ranking points at the end of 2025.
WTA Tour rules require players to compete in a minimum of six WTA 500 events per year, and the world number 1 failed to meet that threshold, resulting in a deduction of points from her ranking. It comes after she revealed the inspiration for her Australian Open kit.
Speaking at the Brisbane International on Thursday, Sabalenka criticized the “insane” schedule and acknowledged she would face further point losses after choosing to sit out tournaments to protect her physical well-being. “Right now, like last season, at the end of the season, because I didn’t play enough 500 events, they are giving points to me and Iga (Swiatek),” she explained.
“This season we’re going to try to handle it a little better, even though they’re going to fine me by the end of the season. But it’s tricky to do that. You can’t jump like a 1000m. It’s really tricky, and I think it’s crazy what they’re doing. I think they’re just following their interests, but they’re not focused on protecting all of us.”
Sabalenka is not alone in expressing her concerns, as former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has now weighed in on the world number 1’s remarks, suggesting players are essentially “forced” to participate to avoid losing ranking points.
When players bypass mandatory events, their rankings are “reset”, erasing ranking points earned in other tournaments they participated in throughout the season, as punishment.
“Well, of course we all want to have more freedom as well to choose what to play or not to play, because otherwise you’ll be fined (ranking points). You’re kind of forced to play most of the tournaments, so it’s not ideal,” the world number 5 said after bowing out in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International.
“I think if the schedule was different, people would come and there is no need to force anyone to play so many tournaments.
“But since it’s very hard on the body and there are still a lot of tournaments, of course it’s not easy to show the same good result, to be healthy all the time. So of course I agree on this, but it’s a topic that we have had for a long time, and I don’t see much change, so…”
Rybakina’s impressive 13-fight winning streak was snapped on Friday after she fell to Karolina Muchova. The Kazakh sensation finished last season on a high note, winning the Ningbo Open, advancing to the semi-finals of the Japan Open before withdrawing from the tournament, then remaining undefeated to claim the WTA Finals title.
After her 6-2 2-6 6-4 loss to Muchova, the 2024 Brisbane International champion said: “Of course it’s not the result I wanted, but I think I played some good matches here. I definitely have a bit of time to work on things. Hopefully it goes better in Melbourne.”
