Adaptations to the format of several Masters and WTA 1000 events, including Madrid and Rome, have seen events that were previously a week long converted into energy-sapping 12-day tournaments.

Several tennis stars are facing injury problems with just three weeks to go until the start of the French Open. Alcaraz, Medvedev and Sinner all pulled out of the Italian Open after experiencing issues in Madrid the week prior.

World No. 1 Swiatek believes mandatory rules are partially to blame for those injury problems. “Well, I think overall, sport is more demanding because we play faster. I mean, on the other hand we’re really focused on getting our physicality better,” the Polish tennis star said.