"I don't understand it, I think you have to earn those byes": Performance byes puzzling for World No.1 Sabalenka
WTA
A fiasco which has opened up as a result of scheduling woes in the WTA has surrounded performance byes with the top player in World No.1, Aryna Sabalenka not a fan of the method.
Sabalenka's fellow top 10 star, Elena Rybakina took the WTA to task for giving out byes to Caroline Garcia and Maria Sakkari despite the Kazakh being ranked above them, and as per previous rules, she would get a bye.
She withdrew citing health issues in the days following, but wasn't best pleased on Instagram.
"Thank you for changing the rules [at the] last moment," Rybakina wrote in an Instagram story on top of a screenshot of the Tokyo draw. "Great decisions as always @wta." She accompanied the post with a sarcastic clapping emoji, plus circus tent and clown face.
Performance byes should be earned believes World No.1
This also doesn't get the seal of approval from Sabalenka either for one particular reason. For Beijing for instance, it is a WTA 1000 mandatory and Sabalenka believes those players wanting byes should earn them by being in the top four.
Veronika Kudermetova for instance received one for being in the semi-finals in Tokyo, but as Sabalenka pointed out, it is a WTA 500 tournament so lesser on the calendar.
“I knew because they sent an email before, everyone knew about the performance bye, but I didn't understand it. I do not understand that. Players who have byes for having played semi-finals in a lower tournament receive a bye in a 1000 tournament, I don't understand it. I think you have to earn those byes," said Sabalenka.
"You have to do it for the consistency of your game, not just for playing well in a tournament, so you get this advantage. You have to deserve it, that's why I don't understand it and I don't agree. I'm happy for the players who made it, but I think this is not acceptable. I hope the same thing doesn't happen again later. It would be understandable if it went from 1000 in Guadalajara to 1000 here, but not from 500 tournaments to 1000 tournaments.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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