WTA star Anastasia Potapova has opened up about the pressures of the demanding tennis calendar, revealing that her team is tasked with ensuring she doesn’t “die from overload” as they navigate the increasingly grueling schedule. Her concerns echo those raised by fellow players, including Iga Swiatek, who has been vocal about the challenges posed by the packed calendar.
The topic of scheduling has become a significant point of discussion in the tennis world, especially as the WTA introduces new rules in 2024. Top-ranked players like Swiatek and Elena Rybakina have expressed frustration with the sheer volume of “mandatory” tournaments they are expected to play. Under the new guidelines, players must compete in all four Grand Slam events, all 10 WTA 1000 tournaments, and an additional six WTA 500 events throughout the year.
Swiatek has been one of the most outspoken critics of the schedule, describing it as unsustainable. Ahead of the 2024 US Open, she admitted, “It would be easy to fix for people who are in charge, but they already made plenty of decisions and they promised so many things to tournaments. I mean, WTA, for example, that would mean for them to change their mind, which is tricky because it’s business.”
The Polish star continued, “I think players are aware that this is crazy what’s going on and the schedule is really tough. I spoke about it in Cincinnati, for example, and there are people saying that I don’t have to play so many tournaments. But truth to the fact is that we have so many mandatory tournaments that we literally need to show up and we don’t have time to work on stuff or live peacefully because from one tournament we’re going straight to another.”
While Swiatek’s comments have sparked some backlash, many players share her sentiments, with growing concerns over the lack of time for recovery and preparation. Among the latest to voice her frustration is Potapova, currently competing at the Linz Open, a WTA 500 event. The Russian player, ranked No. 33 in the world, reflected on the punishing nature of the sport’s schedule, especially after her recent stints at the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.
“We play way too much, even if you compare it to other sports,” said Potapova. “We play non-stop, week after week. If you stay at home five days in two months, it’s really good.” She pointed out the logistical challenges of managing travel across various continents, adding, “The tight schedule and logistics involved are not great. In one week you can play in Dubai, then in Europe, Asia, and Australia. It’s difficult, but I have a team that builds my schedule so that I don’t die from overload.”
While acknowledging the difficulties, Potapova remains appreciative of her career, stressing, “There is not much time to rest, but I must emphasize that it would be a sin to complain about such a life.”
Potapova is currently making her way through the Linz Open, having reached the quarter-finals after defeating Julia Grabher and Rebecca Sramkova in the first two rounds. As the sixth seed and reigning champion, she is set to face either top seed Karolina Muchova or Sara Sorribes Tormo in her next match.
Despite the physical toll of the tour, Potapova’s resilience serves as a reminder of the immense commitment required to succeed at the highest level in tennis. However, as the voices of Swiatek, Rybakina, and now Potapova continue to grow, the conversation about balancing player health with the demands of the calendar remains an ongoing issue for the WTA.