World number two Iga Swiatek on Tuesday warned she might skip some of the top tennis events next season to protect her health.
The 24-year-old Pole spoke of her concerns for her fitness as the planet's top players compete in Japan and China – the "Asian Swing" as it is nicknamed on the circuit – before the season culminates for the men at the Paris Masters 1000 in November and the women at the WTA 1000 in Wuhan in China in October.
"I think people are more fatigued," said Swiatek after advancing to the last-16 at the China Open in Beijing following the retirement of her opponent Camila Osorio at the start of the second set.
Swiatek, the top seed, had claimed the opener 6-0 when the 23-year-old Colombian threw in the towel.
"Unfortunately, the Asian Swing is the hardest part because you feel like the season is going to finish soon, but you still need to push."
Swiatek will take on the 16th seed Emma Navarro in the last-16 after the 24-year-old American benefited from the retirement of the French player Lois Boisson during their third round match.
French Open star Boisson loses in first round of qualifying event for Wimbledon
French star injured
Boisson, who was nursing an injury to her left thigh, called it quits when she lost the opening game of the second set.
"I don't know yet how my career is going to look like in a couple years," added Swiatek who has won six Grand Slam tournament trophies – the most prestigious titles on the tour.
"Maybe I will have to choose some tournaments and skip them, even though they are mandatory."
The WTA which runs the women's circuit, says players must participate at the four Grand Slam events in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York as well as in 10 WTA 1000 tournaments.
They must also sign up for six WTA 500 events. Sanctions for skipping competitions without a valid reason range from rankings points deductions to fines.
Swiatek surges past Gauff into French Open final
"The WTA, with these mandatory rules, they made this pretty crazy for us," added Swiatek.
"I don't think any top player will actually be able to achieve this. It's impossible to squeeze it in the schedule," said Swiatek, who has committed to playing in all the mandatory events this year.
"We have to be smart about it, not really unfortunately care about the rules and think what's healthy for us. It's tough."
In July, Swiatek won her first title on the grass at Wimbledon to add to her four triumphs at the French Open and one at the US Open.
On 21 September she recovered from a set down to beat Ekaterina Alexandrova and claim the Korea Open. It was her 25th singles crown since she began playing regularly on the senior tour in 2019.
