Victoria Azarenka voices her concerns about how the current tennis calendar could affect the “longevity” of the sport

For the past two years, ATP and WTA have added new tournaments and upgraded some 1000 level events to 12 days.

Victoria Azarenka voices her concerns about how the current tennis calendar could affect the “longevity” of the sport

Victoria Azarenka (via Getty images)

Victoria Azarenka has been involved at the top of the WTA Tour for nearly 2 decades now. The former World No.1 has been struggling to win matches this season but her experience of the tour is undeniable. She recently revealed that the hectic tennis calendar could affect the longevity of the sport.

The tennis calendar has, for the past two years, been increasingly loaded with tournaments. Events are being upgraded and new events are being added onto the tour. For instance, in 2025, eight of the 13 different 1000-level tournaments will take place over the extended 12-day period, a shift from the usual 7 or 8-day period.

YouTube video

However, the only tournaments that still take place in the space of a week are the Qatar Open (WTA), Dubai Tennis Championship (WTA), Monte Carlo Masters (ATP), Paris Masters (ATP and the Wuhan Open (WTA). Also, in between these tournaments are level 500 and 250 events that players have to feature in.

FS Video

The stretch of the ATP 1000 tournaments added with Grand Slams and several other tournaments has made the calendar hectic. In fact, in recent years players such as Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz have voiced their concerns. Victoria Azarenka said that too many tournaments have ruined the quality of the sport.

My idea that I think would be much more successful is that 1000 events are one week and smaller draws, and we should have another tournament for lower ranked players close by or maybe a little bit further. But, I feel like we have way too many matches, way too many tournaments, I think it ruins the quality. I think for a player like you (Kasatkina) and Elina (Avanesyan) to see that you can play for as long as I have played for 20 years, physically, I think it is going to be a very big question. Because of the number of tournaments, there are, the game became more physical, the courts are slower, the balls are, everything kind of together for longevity is not going to be sustainable.

Victoria Azarenka said via Daria Kasatkina’s YouTube channel

The next tournament on the calendar is the Indian Wells Open, which has also seen a big change in recent years. It will feature on both the ATP and WTA Tours from March 5.

Victoria Azarenka reflects on a heated incident she had with Jelena Ostapenko last year

Victoria Azarenka has been one of the most vocal players on tour – one who always stands strong with her beliefs. The 35-year-old has not been at her best in 2025 considering her age as she has just two wins in her last six matches.

Victoria Azarenka (via Tennis Gazette)

During the aforementioned conversation, she opened up about an issue she had with Jelena Ostapenko at the Qatar Open last year. The former World No.1 narrated that after defeating Ostapenko 6-0, 6-3 on approaching the net for a handshake she surprisingly met an outreached racquet, which infuriated Azarenka.

I can say it’s not my problem, it was her problem. I don’t know what she wanted me to do with the racket she gave me. She can put it in another place. I mean who gives the racquet in 2024? Somebody who acts like a b[****], I’ll be a b[****] too. I won’t start it but if you want to play, let’s play… I’m nice until someone provokes me.

Victoria Azarenka said

Azarenka lost to eventual champion Amanda Anisimova in the first round at the Qatar Open this year. She then played at the Dubai Tennis Championships, winning only one match before losing to Iga Swiatek in straight sets.