Aryna Sabalenka risks sanctions as she makes major 2026 schedule decision

Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka risks further sanctions as the 27-year-old admits that she will skip some events this year in order to protect her body.

The world number one was one of a handful of high-profile players, including number two Iga Swiatek, that were docked ranking points in 2025 having failed to play in the minimum number of tournaments.

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Players are expected to compete in four Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000 tournaments and six WTA 500 events under WTA rules.

Failure to do so leads to punishment from authorities, ranging from fines to ranking point deductions.

Sabalenka, though, competed in just three WTA 500 events – Brisbane, Stuttgart and Berlin – which landed the Belarusian in hot water with the governing body.

‘The season is insane’

And Sabalenka has claimed that tennis authorities ‘follow their interests’ with regards to the calendar and are not ‘focusing on protecting all of us’.

When asked by reporters if she would change her plans for 2026, Sabalenka said: “The season is definitely insane, and that’s not good for all of us, as you see so many players getting injured.”

After beating Sorana Cirstea at the Brisbane international on Thursday, Sabalenka added: “The rules are quite tricky with mandatory events, but I’m still skipping a couple events in order to protect my body, because I struggled a lot last season.

“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.

“But it’s tricky to do that. You cannot skip (WTA) 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.”

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“The season is definitely insane, and you see so many players getting injured,” Sabalenka added.

“The balls are quite heavy, so it’s a lot of struggle for all of us.”

Sabalenka also stated that she is ‘definitely not at my peak’ ahead of the Australian Open.

The four-time major singles winner lost the Australian Open final 3-6, 6-2, 5-7 to American Madison Keys in Melbourne last year, and the pair resume rivalries in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International this week.

Sabalenka, who is out to win her third Australian Open title in the last four years, said: “Of course I prefer to win every match 6-0 6-0, like everyone, but you only get better when someone pushes you.”

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China’s Zheng Qinwen, who was the runner-up at the 2024 Australian Open, has withdrawn from the first Grand Slam event of the year as she recovers from elbow surgery.

In an Instragam post, the 23-year-old wrote: “To play a Grand Slam requires players to maintain an extreme competitive condition.

“I have not yet reached the best condition that I have set for myself.”

The Australian Open gets underway on Sunday, 12th January and runs until Sunday, 1st February.

And full coverage details, including where to watch the tournament, can be found here.