There have always been a lot of talks about the hectic scheduling of the two-week clay events in Madrid and Rome. Many players on both tours have come forward to voice their objections to participating in two back-to-back tournaments before the Grand Slam in Paris. While many in the tennis community have shown their disapproval by calling it a major reason behind health and injury issues, Aryna Sabalenka has some contradicting views on the same.

In the post-match press conference of the Italian Open, the Belarusian tennis star was asked whether she prefers the one-week or the two-week format of the clay court tournaments in Madrid and Rome. Sabalenka answered by saying, “For me, these two-weeks events is better”. Sabalenka asserted that she can ‘balance everything’ and perform at her optimum levels in two back-to-back tournaments. “Because I can balance everything and I can do well in two tournaments in a row. Before, when it was a one-week event, it was just too much.”

While saying that she is aware of the ‘complaints’ regarding the hectic scheduling, the 2-time singles Grand Slam champion revealed that she has different views. “Well, I know that so many players are complaining about that. They would prefer a one-week tournament. Me personally..Iknow myself. For me it’s better to have one day off. I’m able to forget about tennis for a day and to be kind of like relaxed, not be mentally too much.”

Aryna Sabalenka is a big fan of the current scheduling that allows ample rest before Roland Garros. This extended break gives her a crucial advantage: more time to recharge. With this extra window, Sabalenka feels confident about tackling both tournaments back-to-back. The week off before the Grand Slam serves as the perfect opportunity to refuel mentally and physically, ensuring she’s in peak condition to dominate on the Parisian clay.

Unlike the current number 2 player, there is a top player on the women’s circuit who has voiced her objection to the demanding two-week format.

“Make some adjustments, because it’s too long”– A WTA superstar complains about the two-week event format

Even though the Madrid and Italian Opens are merely warmups for the Grand Slam in Paris, some of the top players, like Victoria Azarenka, are finding the scheduling of these clay events a bit too “stretched.” The former number 1 player said, “We wanted more drama and then we stretched the drama a bit too much, where it kind of becomes like the ‘telenova’ that was too many seasons.” While taking a dig at the hectic scheduling before the French Open, the 2-time singles Grand Slam champion also asserted that there is a need for some ‘adjustments.’ She said, “Hopefully we make some adjustments, because it’s too long.”

Just like the clay court events in Madrid and Rome, the hard court swing in the next season will see a similar two-week format with the introduction of the new scheduling at the Cincinnati Open. It will be a warm-up event for the U.S. Open, and the list of participants will also increase from 64 to 96 players. What do you think of the tournaments on both tours being converted to a two-week format? Let us know in the comments section.