Jessica Pegula believes a more flexible approach could provide a quick fix to the ongoing issues with the WTA schedule.
Pegula is set to head up the Tour Architecture Council, a group focused on overhauling the women’s tennis calendar.
The topic has already been front and centre this year, with Aryna Sabalenka describing the current setup as “insane.”
This season, Sabalenka has skipped both Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships, joining several other big names who have missed one or both events.
Pegula took advantage of some notable absences in Dubai to secure the title and has since put forward what she sees as a simple short-term solution.
Jessica Pegula calls for more flexibility to WTA schedule
Speaking before Indian Wells, Pegula told Front Office Sports: “I can’t say I have an actual idea. I think just more flexibility would be a quick fix to just show the players that we’re trying to fix this.
“It’s probably not the perfect long-term plan. I do think more flexibility if you’re sick or hurt, you shouldn’t feel like you’re forced to play an event – that is pretty standard across the world”, she added.
This year’s WTA season is already packed, with many top names now competing at Indian Wells in California.
Eva Lys has pulled out due to injury, and Rebecca Sramkova has also retired hurt, but that’s still less disruption than we saw earlier in the season in Qatar and Dubai.
The tournament, often referred to as ‘Tennis Paradise’, includes Pegula along with other major players like Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.
Following Indian Wells, there isn’t much time for players to rest before the Miami Open gets underway.
The WTA 1000 event takes place immediately after its Californian counterpart, completing what’s known as the Sunshine Swing.
That stretch wraps up with the French Open before attention shifts to grass-court tennis. There are seven tournaments lined up from June through July, including Wimbledon.
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