“I am at breaking point and sadly I am not alone.<\/p>\n
“Add in to the mix the emotional and mental stress related to my nationality switch and there is only so much I can deal with and take as an individual woman.<\/p>\n
“If this makes me weak, then so be it, I’m weak.<\/p>\n
“However, I know I am strong and will get stronger by being away and recharging.<\/p>\n
“It’s time I listened to myself for a change.”<\/p>\n
Former top-five players Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa ended their seasons early in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
Ukraine’s Svitolina said she had “not been feeling like myself”, while Badosa has spoken about the mental toll of an ongoing back problem.<\/p>\n
Other players have also spoken about the impact of the tennis calendar.<\/p>\n
Five players retired injured in two tournaments in China last week, with six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek saying the season is too long and intense.<\/a><\/p>\n The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has made it mandatory for top players to participate in each Grand Slam, 10 WTA 1000 events and six 500-level tournaments.<\/p>\n The majority of 1000 events on the WTA and men’s ATP Tour last two weeks, as do all four Grand Slams.<\/p>\n Players can skip mandatory events if they injured or have personal reasons, but they will receive no rankings points or prize money if they do not play.<\/p>\n