This week's Cincinnati Open has seen some players flourish from playing back-to-back, but many downright struggling with journalist Christopher Clarey pointing out the need to schedule smarter with the US Open also in just over a week's time.
Elena Rybakina was the latest to hit headlines, with the World Number Four deciding to retire from her Last 16 tie with Jasmine Paolini owing to the shoulder injury which she played through in Montreal amid the late nights and scheduling woes.
It seemed to be all too much for her, Donna Vekic, Mackenzie McDonald and Dusan Lajovic all also retired mid-match. Liudmila Samsonova lost early and Jessica Pegula and Jannik Sinner who were crowned champions also suffered defeats.
"Four retirements mid-match today in singles at Cincinnati Open: Rybakina, Vekic, McDonald & Lajovic. Surprise defeats for Montreal champ Jessica Pegula in her 2nd round & Toronto champ Jannik Sinner in his 1st. The Canada-Cincy double is brutal. All the more reason to schedule smarter," the journalist wrote.
A common feature of the pre US Open swing is the back-to-back ATP/WTA 1000 tournament, but with many now becoming two week tournaments, it shines a spotlight on the toll it takes on a player.
This not only on playing further tournaments, but as Iga Swiatek has pointed out recently also on sleep schedule and has meant that despite being World No.1, she has asked specifically not to play on Centre Court.
Novak Djokovic is an example of how it can work the opposite way with the 23-time Grand Slam champion owing to his status in the game and seemingly caring more about legacy than rankings deciding to skip Toronto.
This has meant that compared to Carlos Alcaraz for example, he will be fresher going into the US Open and will likely shine in Flushing Meadows. Often like Wimbledon, those who perform in the warm-ups seem to struggle in the main event so often raises the question of smarter scheduling and in particular with the US Open swing.
Both tournaments carry weight on the rankings and are also followed up by in the case of WTA, a mandatory 1000 in Guadalajara meaning many will only get a small break next week in the Cleveland/Winston-Salem spot.
4 retirements mid-match today in singles @cincytennis: Rybakina, Vekic, McDonald & Lajovic Surprise defeats for Montreal champ Jessica Pegula in her 2d round & Toronto champ Jannik Sinner in his 1st The Canada-Cincy double is brutal. All the more reason to schedule smarter
