The scheduling of upcoming matches in tennis is more complex than in other sports. The exact time and opponent are usually determined the day or evening before the match because the tournament draws are updated after each round. Matches are scheduled daily or every other day, depending on results, and the next round’s matchups are only confirmed after the previous round concludes. This is dictated by the so-called draws. Likewise, no tennis player knows how long they will remain in a tournament because each match is unique, and victory is never guaranteed.

The full WTA tournament calendar can be viewed on their official website: https://www.wtatennis.com/tournaments.

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The number of tournaments I participate in each year depends on how far I progress in each one, my health, and several other factors. It’s not commonly known, but many of the tournaments on the tour are mandatory for me.  These include the four Grand Slams and 10 WTA 1000 tournaments such as the BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, Mutua Madrid Open, and Internazionali BNL d’Italia, plus some WTA 500 tournaments. In total, this amounts to about 18-20 tournaments annually.

In women’s tennis, we play to two winning sets, so a match can have a maximum of three sets. This differs from men’s tennis, where Grand Slam matches can extend to five sets, as they play to three winning sets.  Sets comprise games, and to win a game, at least four points must be secured. The scoring of games is somewhat unintuitive: 15:0, 30:0, 40:0, and then the game is won.  There’s also the concept of deuce and playing for advantage. Deuce occurs when the score in a game reaches 40:40 (i.e. both players have won 3 points each) and then the game starts to be played for advantage, e.g. 40:AD (advantage). To win a game from deuce, I must score two consecutive points. It’s best to learn this scoring system by watching matches.

A set is won by winning six games (you need to have a two-game lead over your opponent, e.g. 6:4), unless it comes to a score of 6:6, then the so-called tie break is decided. And here another complication:) We play to seven points with the assumption that the player has a two-point advantage. The rules of the tie break are the same as in volleyball (of course, we remember that we play to seven points).

In tennis, we have a break on the bench every two games—after the so-called odd games. For instance, after scores of 2:1 (a total of 3, an odd number), then 4:1 (a total of 5, an odd number), 4:3 (a total of 7, an odd number), etc.  After the first game, we change sides for a brief break, just enough for a sip of water. Between remaining “odd-scored” games, there’s a 1.5-minute break, and sides are also changed. Longer breaks, lasting two minutes, occur after the end of a set. Additionally, breaks are allowed for medical or physiotherapy assistance and toilet breaks.

The permanent WTA ranking functions by awarding points for each tournament based on the results achieved (the round reached). Points are accumulated, but the following year, new points are only added if I improve on last year’s result at a given tournament. For example, when I enter Roland Garros as last year’s winner and win again, I effectively “defend” the points on my account, leaving my total points unchanged after the tournament. However, if I exit the tournament earlier as last year’s champion, my ranking decreases by the appropriate number of points. Therefore, very often people talk about “defending the title” or “defending points”, although I always prefer to think from the perspective of gaining them. There’s also a ranking for the WTA Finals (a tournament of the top 8 players of a season)—known as the Race—which reflects a player’s current standing throughout the season differently, as it only accounts for the points earned in that specific season.

All tournaments on the WTA circuit are categorised according to several factors. A 1000 tournament holds the highest rank, followed by 500, and then 250 and 125.  The number indicates the number of points to be gained for winning the tournament. Below these are the ITF (International Tennis Federation; not WTA—Women’s Tennis Association) tournaments.  1000 tournaments are mandatory for players qualified for them according to the ranking. The rank depends, among other things, on the “prize money”, i.e., the total “prize money” at stake in a given tournament or the size of the draw (the number of starting players).  Essentially, the higher the rank, the greater the stakes and the event’s prestige. Interestingly, top-ranked players face restrictions on participating in lower-ranked tournaments.

WTA – Women’s Tennis Association, i.e. the federation of women’s tennis.
ITF – International Tennis Federation, which is responsible for the four Grand Slam tournaments and the Billie Jean King Cup team competitions.
ATP – Association of Tennis Professionals, i.e. the federation of men’s tennis.

It really depends, but certain routines are constant. The day before the match, when I find out the schedule of play for a given day, I set the time for waking up, breakfast and departure to the facility. It’s easiest when I play at a set time, i.e., “first match of the day”. If my match is second, third, or fourth, estimating times becomes trickier, although experience helps. However, it is worth remembering that in tennis there is a lot of uncertainty and unpredictability—the match before me can last 1.5 or 4 hours, matches are also delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions. On the other hand, someone may withdraw from the game (the so-called retirement) due to an injury and then everything speeds up. On match day, I wake up at the predetermined time, go through necessary measurements for the coaches, and begin my day. When I play a little later, I try to go for a walk before the match, sometimes I do a warm-up. When I play in the evening session, I take a nap. My routines involve specific eating times, warm-up, and concentration techniques.

Many might not realise that a tennis player’s duties continue post-match. Typically, we provide an on-court interview, followed by another for the broadcasting TV stations that host post-match studios. After this, a so-called cool down should be carried out. I usually cycle on a stationary bike, stretch, occasionally use a massage gun on my muscles, and coordinate with the time I’ll be ready for post-match media obligations. I then have a moment for a shower, possibly followed by an ice bath if recommended.  About an hour post-match, a press conference in both Polish and English takes place, along with a few essential interviews. Often, only then do I have a chance to eat and plan for the next day, depending on whether it’s a training or match day.