After the gruelling American hard court swing came to an end, another star of the WTA tour has cut her 2024 season short after defeat at the China Open.
A brutal four weeks in North America was made even more tough as the Paris Olympics added to the already jam-packed schedule.
Now with both tours in Asia, the end is in sight for players, however there are still a bucketful of points and titles up for grabs.
With the ATP and WTA having faced significant backlash over their scheduling, many were forced to reluctantly miss out on important events.
Injuries and illness have dented the ambitions of top stars like Elena Rybakina and Jannik Sinner. For another player, defeat at the China Open has seen her call off the rest of her 2024 season.
Anhelina Kalinina cites her health as reason for early end to 2024
Three-time major finalist Ons Jabeur won’t play until 2025 after a litany of injuries saw her forced out of the US Open and the Paris Olympics.
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina also ended her season early for the second consecutive time after fighting off injuries throughout the year. The former world number three has since undergone surgery.
Countrywoman Anhelina Kalinina has now joined Svitolina on the sidelines, announcing that she will be out of action until 2025.
The former world number 25 said on her Instagram story: “Due to my health issues, this season is over for me. Thanks to everybody for your continuous support.”
Having been thumped 6-4, 6-0, in the first round of the China Open against in-form Slovak Rebecca Sramakova, Kalinina immediately announced she would be calling an end to her 2024.
The WTA schedule once again comes under scrutiny
World number one Iga Swiatek blasted the WTA calendar during her run at the Cincinnati Open in August.
The Pole said at the time: “I think we have too many tournaments in the season. It’s not going to end well. It makes tennis less fun for us. Obviously, I love playing in all these places, but it’s pretty exhausting. Most of the players will tell you that.”
Swiatek has also since withdrawn from the Beijing Open – a tournament she won last year.
Calendar concerns have also come from Carlos Alcaraz, with the Spaniard claiming the ATP were going to kill players with the amount of tournaments players are expected to take part in.
He said: “Right now there are many players injured due to the calendar and other factors, but at some point, there will be players who will have to skip tournaments because they have to take care of their bodies, families, and other aspects of life besides tennis.”
With jet-lag having hampered the efforts of several players in Asia already, the WTA is only going to face more questions over what is becoming a slightly problematic conversation.
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