Sports
Tennis players not protected from ‘insane’ tournament scheduling – Sabalenka
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By Francesca Hangeior
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has criticised tennis authorities for prioritising their own interests over player welfare, describing the current tennis calendar as “insane” and unsustainable.
The Belarusian star revealed that she plans to skip several tournaments during the season to protect her health, even though she expects to face sanctions from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for missing mandatory events.
Under WTA regulations, top players are required to compete in all four Grand Slam tournaments, 10 WTA 1000 events and six WTA 500 tournaments. Failure to meet these obligations can result in penalties ranging from fines to deductions in ranking points.
Sabalenka was among the high-profile players penalised in 2025 after competing in only three WTA 500 events — Brisbane, Stuttgart and Berlin. World number two Iga Swiatek was also docked points under the same rules.
Speaking to reporters after her victory over Sorana Cirstea at the Brisbane International, the four-time Grand Slam champion said the congested schedule had taken a serious toll on players.
“The season is definitely insane, and that’s not good for all of us,” Sabalenka said. “You see so many players getting injured.”
She explained that although the mandatory-event rules leave players with limited flexibility, she would still skip certain tournaments to avoid burnout and injury.
“I struggled a lot last season. Even though the results were consistent, there were tournaments where I played while sick or completely exhausted from overplaying,” she said.
Sabalenka added that while she expects to be fined, managing her fitness is now a priority.
“This season we will try to manage it a bit better, even though they are going to fine me by the end of the season,” she said. “You cannot skip 1000 events. It’s really tricky, and I think what they’re doing is insane.”
She accused tennis authorities of failing to place players’ well-being at the centre of their decision-making.
“I think they just follow their interests and are not focusing on protecting us,” she said.
Concerns over the length and intensity of the tennis calendar have been growing among the sport’s top players in recent months.
Men’s world number one Carlos Alcaraz has also raised alarms about the packed schedule, although he continues to participate in high-profile exhibition matches. The Spaniard is set to face rival Jannik Sinner in a lucrative exhibition in South Korea this weekend, just over a week before the Australian Open.
Both the men’s and women’s tours have come under increased scrutiny for their near year-round schedules, with the issue highlighted during last year’s Asian swing, when injuries mounted across both circuits.
Manchester City have named Ruben Dias as their new captain, with Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma also included in the club’s leadership group.
Dias takes over from Bernardo Silva, who left City during the summer. The Portugal defender will lead the team, while Haaland, Guehi and Donnarumma will take on additional leadership responsibilities as City continue life under new manager, Enzo Maresca.
The announcement was made by coach Maresca earlier today, September 4, with the four players chosen for their experience and influence within the squad. Maresca previously named Enzo Fernandez as captain during their time together at Chelsea, but Dias will now wear the armband at the Etihad Stadium.
Maresca also spoke about Fernandez’s arrival at City after the Argentina international completed a joint-British record £125 million move from Chelsea on deadline day. He said several City players were keen to see the midfielder join the club because of his winning mentality and experience.
“I know Enzo quite well and I know what he can bring to the team,” Maresca said. “He is a winner, a winner’s mentality and knows how to win [after] the World Cup, Club World Cup.”
The manager added: “I can promise you that in the last four or five days four or five players from the squad were asking if he is coming or not because they want him to be with us.”
Fernandez could make his City debut against newly promoted Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. His transfer formed part of City’s record £458 million spending spree, which also included Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said the club had handled Fernandez’s departure respectfully and was now focused on moving forward.
“In football many things happen. With Enzo we have had conversations and always with respect. What he has done for the club has been great, but now it’s time to move forward,” Alonso said.
Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk, has provided the latest injury update on two of his players, Victor Osimhen and Mario Lemina.
Speaking to beIN Sports after Galatasaray defeated Başakşehir 3-2 in the Turkish Super Lig encounter on Friday, Buruk said Lemina and Osimhen sustained a groin injury.
According to him, both players will need to do MRIs, and hopefully, they can be ready for the upcoming Champions League match.
“Lemina had a slight groin pain in training yesterday. Osimhen also felt it today,” Buruk said.
Ex- Sierra Leone international Michael Lahoud has placed Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen among the best three forwards currently playing in Europe.
Lahoud made the assessment while discussing Galatasaray’s prospects in the UEFA Champions League, expressing confidence that the Turkish giants have enough attacking quality to make a strong impression in the competition.
According to the former midfielder, Osimhen’s goalscoring ability, combined with the arrival of Portuguese star Rafael Leao, gives Galatasaray a major attacking advantage as they prepare for their Champions League campaign.
Lahoud argued that Osimhen belongs in the same conversation as some of the biggest names in world football, including England captain Harry Kane and France superstar Kylian Mbappe.
“Galatasaray has arguably the best striker in Europe right now alongside Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Victor Osimhen,” Lahoud said on the CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Lahoud Backs Galatasaray for Champions League Success
The former Sierra Leone international believes Galatasaray’s attacking options could make them one of the teams to watch during the Champions League league phase.
He particularly highlighted the combination of Osimhen and Leao, describing the Portuguese winger as a potential game-changer for the Turkish club.
Lahoud said the presence of Leao could provide Galatasaray with an additional attacking dimension, particularly in matches against some of Europe’s established clubs.
“I stand on business when I say that the numbers don’t lie when it comes to the Champions League. But the fact that Galatasaray have Rafael Leao, I think that becomes a real X factor,” he stated.
Lahoud went as far as predicting that Galatasaray would finish among the top eight teams at the end of the Champions League league phase.
“Galatasaray will finish the Champions League league phase in the top eight this season,” he added.
Osimhen Remains Key to Galatasaray’s Ambitions
Osimhen is expected to play a central role in Galatasaray’s ambitions both domestically and in Europe, with the Nigerian forward having established himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in European football.
His pace, physical strength, movement and ability to score from different situations have made him a major attacking threat, while his Champions League experience is also expected to be valuable to the Turkish champions.
With Leao now providing another major attacking option, Galatasaray will hope their star-studded forward line can help them compete against Europe’s elite.
Lahoud’s prediction will also raise expectations around Osimhen, particularly among Nigerian football fans who will be hoping the Super Eagles striker can continue to deliver at the highest level on the European stage.
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