“Sometimes I feel like I’m this hamster in a wheel running to the next tournament.” Last year, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek did not mince any words while sharing her thoughts on reducing the number of events. Six years ago, a player at her rank would only play 15 mandatory tournaments. The growing popularity and investment in the sport, however, have bumped the numbers up to 21. The same was the case with Jessica Pegula, who didn’t get to thoroughly savor her title defense in Toronto and had to pack up her bags. Yet, this year was no different.

The Cincinnati Open kicked off on the very same day as the Canadian Open finals. Despite the two-week events rule, it did not help amidst the weather complications and traveling overlaps. If the gap between two events was not enough, the players now

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