Brisbane International: Aryna Sabalenka says players are ‘not protected’ due to ‘crazy’ tennis schedule.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka said tennis authorities are “following their own interests” regarding the tennis schedule and are not “focused on protecting us all.”

Players have raised concerns about the schedule in recent months, saying it is too long and condensed.

The leading players on the women’s tour are expected to play at least 20 mandatory events – four Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000s and six 500s.

Belarusian Sabalenka said she will skip some events this year to protect her body.

“The season is definitely crazy, and you see a lot of players getting injured,” Sabalenka said after defeating Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-3 in the Brisbane International.

“The balls are very heavy, so it’s a big struggle for all of us.”

Sabalenka and world number two Iga Swiatek were deducted from their rankings for not playing enough WTA 500 tournaments last season.

“I skipped some events in order to protect my body because I suffered a lot last season,” added 27-year-old Sabalenka.

“Even though the results were really consistent, some of the tournaments I played I was quite sick or really exhausted from overplaying.

He added: “This season we will try to manage it a little better, although in the end they will punish me.”

The WTA said the welfare of female players “will always remain a top priority.”