Tennis news: Fans blast 'nonsense' move as Aryna Sabalenka joins top stars in sad announcement

Pressure is mounting on tennis officials to do something about the packed schedule for top players after women's World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka joined a growing list to withdraw from a tournament after the Australian Open. Sabalenka - who lost in the Melbourne Park final to Elena Rybakina - has decided to pull out of the Qatar Open in Doha, leaving Iga Swiatek as the top seed for the WTA 1000 event.

The decision comes hot on the heels of Australian Open men's champion Carlos Alcaraz and World No.4 Alexander Zverev withdrawing from the Rotterdam Open. Both men pulled out of the hard-court event in the Netherlands off the back of their gruelling Australian Open campaigns.

And Sabalenka has followed suit after deciding to take an extra week's rest, having made the Melbourne Park final for a fourth-straight year. The Belarusian joins Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Naomi Osaka, Marta Kostyuk, Eva Lys, Loïs Boisson and Iva Jovic as players who have pulled out of the Qatar Open in recent days.

World No.31 Marketa Vondrousova and Veronika Kudermetova will also skip the Doha tournament. Vondrousova has failed to recover from a shoulder in the WTA 500 event in Adelaide in January. The Czech was also a late withdrawal from the Australian Open after being plagued by injuries in recent years.

But the spate of recent withdrawals have raised fresh questions over the jam-packed ATP and WTA schedules, with Sabalenka's decision set to heighten concerns. There's been rumblings for the last few years that the players aren't happy with how many tournaments are scheduled throughout the year.

And considering the Qatar Open begins just eight days after the Australian Open, tennis officials are under fresh fire. Reacting to the news about Sabalenka, leading tennis writer Jose Morgado described the situation as "nonsense", with the Belarusian's absence leaving fans saddened.

Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev to miss Rotterdam

It comes after Alcaraz made the decision to skip the Rotterdam Open to recover from his historic career Grand Slam feat at the Australian Open after beating Novak Djokovic in the final. Tournament officials said: "The Australian Open champion concluded that after his exertions over the past two weeks, he needs more time to return to action. We wish Carlos a swift recovery."

German star Zverev said he also needed to prioritise his health and fitness after withdrawing. "I find it incredibly unfortunate that I have to make this decision," the German said in a statement.

"I was given a chance as a young player (in Rotterdam), and that's why I always enjoy returning. However, given my history with my ankle, I have to prioritise my recovery and can't take any risks. I wish everyone in Rotterdam a wonderful week."

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