World No. 2 Iga Świątek will significantly cut back her tournament schedule in 2026 as she moves to protect her long-term health, sharpen her technical development, and manage the increasingly demanding women’s tour calendar.
Świątek, who played a gruelling 79 matches across 19 tournaments this season, says the relentless schedule has taken a toll—not only physically but also mentally. In a season where she lifted her first Wimbledon trophy and captured titles in Cincinnati and Seoul, she has also been one of the strongest voices calling for structural reform in the tennis calendar, which currently stretches from early January to November.
Speaking to The Guardian, the four-time Grand Slam champion revealed her intention to skip certain tournaments next season, particularly events where she historically hasn’t felt comfortable or performed at her best.
“I would like to try missing maybe two tournaments—maybe the ones I feel I haven’t been playing well at anyway—just spending this time on grinding and getting the technique better,” Świątek said.
She believes dedicating more time to targeted training blocks will help her execute under pressure: “I think it will help me also play a little bit better under stress, because my body will remember the proper movements and what it learned during this practice time.”
Her decision sets up a challenge with WTA participation rules, which require top-ranked players to compete in mandatory events—including all four Grand Slams, nine WTA 1000s, and at least four WTA 500 tournaments. Players who skip them without a valid medical or personal exemption can face ranking-point penalties.
Świątek’s shift signals a broader trend among elite athletes pushing back against an overloaded tennis calendar. With more players publicly discussing burnout, injuries, and mental fatigue, Świątek’s move could intensify calls for reform as the sport grapples with how to protect top talent without sacrificing commercial interests.
For the Polish star, the recalibration could mark the next evolution of her game: a more rested, technically refined, and psychologically balanced Świątek—one aiming not just for short-term trophies but for sustained excellence over the next decade.
