The sun was barely up over the pre-season courts when the murmurs started once again - another year, another stretch of weeks where even the brightest stars of tennis struggled to catch their breath. As the new season approached, the Tour was buzzing not just with anticipation but with a familiar frustration that had slowly become impossible to ignore. Elena Rybakina is a new addition to that list…

For months, the tennis world had watched champions like Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz call out the relentless pace of the Tour. For example, during a post-match press conference at the 2025 China Open, Swiatek called out the grueling nature of the tour, highlighting the long season being the exact reason behind players’ fatigue. Then, in an interview with SportoweFakty, Swiatek said she won’t be looking next year at which tournaments are mandatory and which ones she could get fined for, and arrange her own schedule in her own way. Joining her in the list, Alcaraz also claimed, “I think that the schedule is really tight. They have to do something with the schedule. I think there are too many mandatory tournaments, too many in a row.” But what did Rybakina say on this?

In an exclusive interview with Sport Schrodinger, Elena Rybakina was asked about what reforms she would want to make to the games and tournaments. Replying to that question, she said, “I think the calendar needs to be changed. Not just for us, to make things more comfortable in terms of schedule, but also for the fans, to make things easier.”

Rybakina’s message came not as a complaint, but as a thoughtful observation from someone who has live the grind. Speaking after wrapping up her season, she didn’t sugarcoat her thoughts. She further gave an example, saying, “This year, the BJK Finals were held in China; there were several teams, and it was a full-fledged, good tournament where people could come and see different players and different teams.”

Last year, during the Madrid Open, she spoke against the WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome being turned into two-week events. “With the new rules, there is no room to choose; we are forced to compete in too many tournaments,” she said at that time. Perhaps this was just another addition to that serious concern.

Tennis has evolved - faster rallies, heavier hitting, expanded events, global travel, and constant pressure to perform. But the Tour’s structure has remained largely unchanged. As the physical demands rise, so does the strain. Elena Rybakina has suffered from a lot of injuries in the last few years. How does she look at that, and what update does she have on her recoveries from those long-lasting battles with her body?

Amid injury concerns, Elena Rybakina looks forward to the 2026 season

Currently ranked fifth in the world, Elena Rybakina has been the standout player in the last few months of the 2025 season. She won 3 titles this season and had a win-loss record of 59-19. She went unbeaten at the WTA Finals, a feat that helped her earn a huge prize money of $5.24 million. Do you know that she fired down a staggering 516 aces this season? Well, that’s the highest that anyone has hit ‌this season, and guess what? This is also the highest number of aces she has hit in the last five years (from 2021). Her serves have played a crucial role in her success in 2025. Can she continue her momentum in 2026?

Well, a fit Rybakina can do some real damage, and we’ve already seen it this year. Talking about her recoveries from all the injuries she had in recent times, she said, “My back hurt at the beginning of the season. It was frustrating that it started in Australia, but we quickly fixed it with some exercises. My leg issues are the most concerning; sometimes better, sometimes worse. In addition to training, we also do various rehabilitation procedures. It's an issue that won't be resolved quickly.”

Elena Rybakina further added, “Regarding my shoulder, it happened at the last tournament and didn't require any intervention or medical attention. I rested there, and it went away. The shoulder pain was due to playing so many tournaments in a row and serving a lot. Overall, it was under control. As a team, we've managed to avoid serious injuries and surgeries.”

In that same interview with Sport Schrodinger, Rybakina also gave a glimpse of her upcoming tournaments. She recently withdrew her name from the World Tennis League, saying, “It's been a long season, and if I'd played there, I'd have to start matches in India on the 17th. It's completely rushed.” Currently, she is preparing herself in Dubai, and after that she’ll travel to China to take part in an exhibition tournament.

Following that she’ll enter the Brisbane International and probably, Adelaide International as well before setting things up for the 2026 AO. Does Elena Rybakina have a chance of winning a Grand Slam title next year, though?

Her last Grand Slam glory came at the 2022 Wimbledon. According to tennis legend Andy Roddick, Rybakina has a good chance of winning it on clay (French Open) next year. He also claimed that Rybakina is one of the only players who can go toe-to-toe with the consistency of players like Aryna Sabalenka. What are your thoughts on this statement, though?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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