Iga Świątek made it clear that change is coming, openly acknowledging the need to step back from the nonstop pace of professional tennis, echoing World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s stance on protecting player health. Speaking after her quarterfinal exit at the 2026 Australian Open, the former World No. 1 revealed that she is prepared to skip some WTA 1000 tournaments this season.
For Świątek, the decision is less about chasing every ranking point and more about creating space to rest, reset, and actually improve her game within a calendar she believes leaves little room to breathe.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Stance Highlights Mounting Pressure on the WTA and ATP Tours
The topic has gained traction across the WTA and ATP tours as top players increasingly question a season that stretches nearly year-round.
With mandatory events, frequent travel, and little recovery time between tournaments, concerns about burnout and injury have become impossible to ignore.
Sabalenka had already drawn attention to the issue earlier in January at the Brisbane International, describing the season as overwhelming and physically draining.
Her comments set the stage for similar reflections from other players, including Świątek, whose perspective carries weight given her consistency at the top of the women’s game over the past few years.
How Has Iga Świątek’s Mindset Shifted Toward Rest Over Ranking Points?
When asked directly about Sabalenka’s willingness to skip major events if rest or technical work was required, Świątek admitted that meaningful improvement is nearly impossible within the tight gaps between tournaments.
“Yeah. I don’t feel it’s possible to do that in this short period of time that we have between tournaments,” she said. “Last year, I had trouble making this kind of decision, but this year I’m trying to change my approach.”
Świątek went a step further, confirming that selective scheduling is no longer hypothetical. “So I think for sure I’ll skip some 1000 tournaments,” she added. “I’ve never been in this position, so I don’t know what the result will be, but I think it’s necessary.”
MORE: Aryna Sabalenka Calls Out ‘Insane’ Rules As She Reveals Her Plans To Skip Tournaments in 2026
She emphasized that constantly preparing for one event after another may maintain a high level, but it does not allow for growth.
“If you want to improve your game, you know, unless I want to stay the same and just prepare for every tournament, then I can do that as well and I’ll play well. But if I want to improve something, it would be nice to have some time, and unfortunately the calendar doesn’t allow that.”
The Pole recently concluded her eighth Melbourne campaign. The second seed cruised past Chinese qualifier Yue Yuan, Marie Bouzková, 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya, and local qualifier Maddison Inglis to reach her third quarterfinal in Melbourne, where she lost 5-7, 1-6 to fifth seed Elena Rybakina.
