The women's world number one has raised concerns about the schedule and has revealed that she will be skipping some events this year to protect her body.

Speaking after her win at the Brisbane International against Sorana Cirstea on Thursday (08.01.26), Sabalenka said: "The season is definitely insane, and you see so many players getting injured.

"The balls are quite heavy, so it's a lot of struggle for all of us."

The WTA tour's leading players are expected to play at least 20 mandatory events per year, although the four-time Grand Slam champion was docked ranking points for not playing enough WTA 500 tournaments last season.

The Belarusian player added: "I'm skipping a couple of events in order to protect my body because I struggled a lot last season.

"Even though the results were really consistent, some of the tournaments I had been playing completely sick or I've been really exhausted from overplaying.

"This season we will try to manage it a little bit better, even though they are going to fine me by the end."

Sabalenka explained that she is "definitely not at my peak" in the build-up to the Australian Open as she bids to win the major for the third time in four years.

She said: "Of course I prefer to win every match 6-0 6-0, like everyone, but you only get better when someone pushes you."

Sabalenka took on former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios in the much-discussed Battle of the Sexes clash last month and believes that the match brought a lot of attention to the sport.

She said: "It wasn't about proving something to anyone. It was able to show that tennis can be really huge.

"That exhibition, it was fun. It was a great challenge."