Kasatkina says packed tour schedule takes toll on players
The Russian-born 17th seed beat Paula Badosa in straight sets. (AP pic)
PARIS : Daria Kasatkina saw signs of burnout in recent weeks amid a packed tour schedule, and her French Open run into the fourth round has helped her get back on track, she said on Saturday.
The Russian-born 17th seed, who now represents Australia, beat Paula Badosa in straight sets to reach the last 16 in Paris at the French Open.
It was her best result in months after losing in early rounds in each of her last seven tournaments this year.
'I would say I felt little signs of burnout or something like that,' Kasatkina told a press conference.
'The last couple of weeks were a bit rough for me. I couldn't find myself on court. I felt a little bit flat, like with emotions and stuff.
'I'm really happy that I got back on track here in Roland Garros. Playing much better, feeling much better on court. I think that's the most important, especially now.'
The world number 17 said the busy tour schedule left little time for recovery throughout the year, echoing the views of fellow Australian Alex De Minaur.
The top Australian player this week called for a shorter season and said he felt drained after his second round five-set loss earlier in the week.
The season kicked off with the United Cup mixed team tournament in December, 33 days after the Davis Cup Finals ended in Spain, and the gruelling nature of the circuit has repeatedly come under a harsh spotlight in recent years.
'I agree with Alex, because our schedule is pretty rough. I mean, we have a completely packed schedule. There's no spot for anything,' Kasatkina said.
'I think everyone can relate that sometimes you don't want to wake up to go to your job. It's normal. We are all humans. This can happen,' she added.
'It can happen that the person who is travelling all around the world all the time giving their best, living the life of tennis player, sometimes can feel this feeling that he's tired. That sometimes you are just not super excited to go on court.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
18 minutes ago
- The Sun
Djokovic downs Zverev to set up French Open semi clash with Sinner
NOVAK Djokovic said beating Alexander Zverev on Wednesday was a 'testament' to his ability to compete at the highest level as the 38-year-old reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros to inch closer to a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic fought past third seed Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in a gruelling night session duel, which captivated Court Philippe Chatrier over three-and-a-quarter hours. The 24-time Grand Slam winner moves on to face world number one Jannik Sinner in the last four, after the Italian earlier raced past the unseeded Alexander Bublik in straight sets. 'Jannik is in tremendous form, and he has been the best player for the last couple of years,' said Djokovic. 'It's going to be of course semi-finals of a Grand Slam against the No. 1 in the world. There is no bigger occasion for me, so I'll try to do my best to step it up and perform as well as I did tonight. 'I just hope that I will be able to physically keep up, you know, with Sinner in few days' time. It's a big challenge for me.' On centre court, last year's runner-up Zverev roared out of the blocks with an immediate break of serve as he clinched the opener against Djokovic. It was the first time former world number one Djokovic has dropped a set at the French Open this year. 'Forget the age' Djokovic engineered himself a 3-1 lead in the second set after Zverev pushed a backhand long when serving at 30-40. The three-time Roland Garros champion then held firm through the rest of the frame to level the match as he started to punish the 1.98m-Zverev with drop-shots. The Serb sniffed out a break opportunity in game five of the third set and snaffled it, before again breaking the German as he took control of the encounter. Now on a high, Djokovic started the fourth by again pouncing on his opponent's usually reliable serve. He brought Chatrier to its feet when he whipped a cross-court forehand past Zverev to save break point in the sixth game at the end of an exchange that the 28-year-old looked certain to win on at least three occasions. Zverev appeared a defeated man when he eventually passed up that chance at a vital break-back with a netted forehand. Djokovic marched on and sealed his 101st win at the French Open, raising his arms aloft in triumph after finally converting match point at the fifth time of asking. 'It was an amazing match,' summarised Djokovic. 'Obviously beating one of the best players in the world on the biggest stages is something that I definitely work for, and I still, you know, push myself on a daily basis at this age because of these kind of matches and these kind of experiences. 'It's a proven kind of testament to myself that I can and to others that I can still play on the highest level.' A poor run of form earlier in the season and his advancing years had some questioning whether Djokovic could still match his younger rivals. But he had a response for his doubters: 'I think the win against (Carlos) Alcaraz in quarters of Australian Open (2025), to win quarters against Zverev tonight proves to myself and others that I can still play on the highest level, and I just thrive on these occasions.' A sentiment echoed by Zverev. 'I think at the moment he's a bit underrated, to be honest,' Zverev said of Djokovic. 'I think like a lot of people count him out already, but this year he's had wins over Carlos at the Australian Open, he has had a win over me at the French Open. Forget the age. I think for any player, those are pretty good results.' Defeat at the quarter-final stage of the tournament in which he has reached at least the last four every year since 2021 brings an end to a disappointing clay-court season for Zverev. The three-time Grand Slam runner-up endured early exits at the Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open, as well as in the last eight in Rome.
The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
Djokovic Beats Zverev, Into French Open Semis vs Sinner
NOVAK Djokovic said beating Alexander Zverev on Wednesday was a 'testament' to his ability to compete at the highest level as the 38-year-old reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros to inch closer to a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic fought past third seed Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in a gruelling night session duel, which captivated Court Philippe Chatrier over three-and-a-quarter hours. The 24-time Grand Slam winner moves on to face world number one Jannik Sinner in the last four, after the Italian earlier raced past the unseeded Alexander Bublik in straight sets. 'Jannik is in tremendous form, and he has been the best player for the last couple of years,' said Djokovic. 'It's going to be of course semi-finals of a Grand Slam against the No. 1 in the world. There is no bigger occasion for me, so I'll try to do my best to step it up and perform as well as I did tonight. 'I just hope that I will be able to physically keep up, you know, with Sinner in few days' time. It's a big challenge for me.' On centre court, last year's runner-up Zverev roared out of the blocks with an immediate break of serve as he clinched the opener against Djokovic. It was the first time former world number one Djokovic has dropped a set at the French Open this year. 'Forget the age' Djokovic engineered himself a 3-1 lead in the second set after Zverev pushed a backhand long when serving at 30-40. The three-time Roland Garros champion then held firm through the rest of the frame to level the match as he started to punish the 1.98m-Zverev with drop-shots. The Serb sniffed out a break opportunity in game five of the third set and snaffled it, before again breaking the German as he took control of the encounter. Now on a high, Djokovic started the fourth by again pouncing on his opponent's usually reliable serve. He brought Chatrier to its feet when he whipped a cross-court forehand past Zverev to save break point in the sixth game at the end of an exchange that the 28-year-old looked certain to win on at least three occasions. Zverev appeared a defeated man when he eventually passed up that chance at a vital break-back with a netted forehand. Djokovic marched on and sealed his 101st win at the French Open, raising his arms aloft in triumph after finally converting match point at the fifth time of asking. 'It was an amazing match,' summarised Djokovic. 'Obviously beating one of the best players in the world on the biggest stages is something that I definitely work for, and I still, you know, push myself on a daily basis at this age because of these kind of matches and these kind of experiences. 'It's a proven kind of testament to myself that I can and to others that I can still play on the highest level.' A poor run of form earlier in the season and his advancing years had some questioning whether Djokovic could still match his younger rivals. But he had a response for his doubters: 'I think the win against (Carlos) Alcaraz in quarters of Australian Open (2025), to win quarters against Zverev tonight proves to myself and others that I can still play on the highest level, and I just thrive on these occasions.' A sentiment echoed by Zverev. 'I think at the moment he's a bit underrated, to be honest,' Zverev said of Djokovic. 'I think like a lot of people count him out already, but this year he's had wins over Carlos at the Australian Open, he has had a win over me at the French Open. Forget the age. I think for any player, those are pretty good results.' Defeat at the quarter-final stage of the tournament in which he has reached at least the last four every year since 2021 brings an end to a disappointing clay-court season for Zverev. The three-time Grand Slam runner-up endured early exits at the Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open, as well as in the last eight in Rome.
Free Malaysia Today
34 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Amazing' Alcaraz cruises into French Open last four
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning the quarterfinal match against Tommy Paul of the US at Roland-Garros. (AP pic) PARIS : Carlos Alcaraz said his ruthless quarter-final performance at Roland Garros on Tuesday was partly 'inspired' by rival Jannik Sinner as the Spaniard blew away Tommy Paul for the loss of just five games. The reigning champion needed just one hour 34 minutes to dismantle former world No 9 Paul 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier and set up a last-four meeting with Italy's Lorenzo Musetti. Musetti, seeded eighth, earlier beat Paul's compatriot and 15th seed Frances Tiafoe in four sets. It will be the third time Alcaraz and Musetti meet this clay-court season. Alcaraz has dominated that series, beating the 23-year-old in the final in Monte Carlo before also stopping him in the last four on his way to the Rome title. 'I mean he's playing great,' said Alcaraz of the Italian. 'It's going to be a beautiful battle, a beautiful match, I think we're both playing great tennis… it's going to be great for the people to watch as well.' But the 22-year-old's blistering performance under the lights on centre court in Paris will have many backing him to make it three from three against Musetti as he seeks to defend his title. 'It was, I could close my eyes and everything went in, my feeling today was amazing. Today was one of those matches where everything went in, I'm just pleased with everything,' said Alcaraz of his performance Tuesday. Alcaraz fired 40 winners on his way to victory over Paul for just 22 unforced errors as he emphatically put inconsistent displays in the previous rounds behind him. The five-time Grand Slam champion has received some criticism for dropping sets and prolonging his time on court so far at Roland Garros this year. This stands in stark contrast to top seed Sinner – a potential final opponent for Alcaraz – who has minimised his playing time with relentless straight-set wins through his first four matches. 'He (Sinner) inspired me in some ways just to give my 100% every match and I see how important it is just to play such a great level in the whole match, just to have more time then to recover after the match,' admitted Alcaraz. 'This kind of match is never easy,' he said. 'I've played Tommy many times and he's beat me twice.' Despite previous success against Alcaraz, it took the 28-year-old American eight games to get on the scoreboard as his opponent raced out of the blocks, mixing powerful groundstrokes with perfectly-weighted drop-shots and lobs. Paul put up determined resistance in the third set despite carrying an injury but couldn't deny Alcaraz, who broke in the ninth game before holding to love for victory. 'I know you wanted to watch more tennis,' an apologetic Alcaraz told the crowd on centre court. 'I have to say sorry for that. But I had to do my work.' Paul has now lost his last four meetings with Alcaraz, including at the same venue last year in the last eight of the Olympic Games. 'I think, you know, we've seen Sinner really destroy people lately,' Paul told reporters after the match. 'I guess today was Carlos' turn, so I think both of them are playing at an extremely, extremely high level right now.'
