Aryna Sabalenka has slammed the WTA for the length of the tennis season, saying the organisation is not making the wellbeing of players a priority.
The world No.1 breezed into the Brisbane International quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-3 win over Sorana Cirstea before labelling the WTA schedule "insane".
The subject of the length of the season has been a hot topic for both male and female players. Sabalenka was asked about Serena Williams, who chose to step away from tournaments when she was at the peak of her powers.
The subject touched a raw nerve for Sabalenka who has already been penalised for sitting out events.
"The season is definitely insane and that is not good for all of us, as you see with so many players getting injuries," she said
"The balls are also quite heavy so it is a lot of struggle for all of us.
"With what Serena did, the rules were different. Last season because I didn't play enough 500 events they fined us points, me and Iga (Swiatek).
"The rules are quite strict but I am still skipping events."
Sabalenka suggested she would wear the fines, which involve crucial ranking points being docked.
She added that her decision was guided by her determination to "protect my body".
"I struggled last season where some of the tournaments I played really sick or really exhausted from over-playing," she said.
"This season we will try to manage it a little bit better even though they may fine me by the end of the season. It is a tricky to do that. You cannot skip a 1000 event. It is really tricky.
"I think it is insane what they do. I think they just follow their interests but they are not focusing on protecting all of us."
Sabalenka now has a quarter-final showdown with US star Madison Keys, who beat her last year in the Australian Open final.
Keys had a torrid 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) win over Russia's Diana Shnaider in the third round.
Sabalenka got one back on Keys later in 2025 but wants to atone for the loss in Australia.
"After the Australian Open we played in Indian Wells and I got a win back, but here specifically in Australia of course I would like to get revenge," she said.
"Of course it is going to be a great battle, really aggressive tennis and I am excited to face her."
Sabalenka has a great record in Australia with two wins in the Open and a victory in the Brisbane International last year. She said there was still more for her to accomplish and better tennis to come.
"I think there is always room to improve and I am definitely not at my peak," she said.
"Only one time in Australia did I play really incredible tennis and I was at my highest level. The rest I was dealing with different things that wouldn't work on court.
"The focus is always the same, to get better and improve your game and try new things."
While Sabalenka and Keys marched on, American second seed Amanda Anisimova crashed out 6-4 6-3 on Thursday night against Ukraine's 2024 Australian Open quarter-finalist Marta Kostyuk.
But third-seeded 2023 AO champion Elena Rybakina and fourth seed Jessica Pegula both safely joined Sabalenka and Keys in the quarter-finals.
