Elena Rybakina expressed her opinion on the importance of shorter schedules in the tennis calendar amid struggles with fatigue.
In recent years, high-profile WTA 1000 tournaments like the Madrid Open and Italian Open have become two-week events on tour, joining Indian Wells and the Miami Open, which have traditionally featured an expanded draw size and a longer format.
As of next year, the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Masters will follow suit and incorporate a longer playing schedule. However, several players have voiced concerns about the detrimental impact of these amendments.
One of the players is Elena Rybakina, who opined that longer breaks torment players' physical and emotional well-being. The 24-year-old was highly critical of tennis authorities in the wake of her quarterfinal victory over Yulia Putintseva in Madrid when she confessed to not feeling any emotions.
Rybakina did not play in the Italian Open due to illness but sounded a message to help players cope with fatigue. The former Wimbledon champion believes that players should be at liberty to pick and choose which tournaments to play.
Following her thumping win over Greet Minnen in the first round of the 2024 Roland Garros, Rybakina was determined to be in good health after being out of action for over two weeks. She expressed that her goal has always been to win titles.
"Well, it is tiring sometimes, but I mean, now I'm happy to be back and just to keep on playing. Then the goal is for me to win the titles. That's what I want. That's what I'm aiming for."
With her opening win over the Belgian, Rybakina improves to 9-1 on clay this season. As one of the tournament favorites, she'll be expected to reach at least the second week after withdrawing from last year's event in the third round stage. Next up for the fourth seed is Dutch lefty Arantxa Rus.
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