The WTA’s recent aggressive actions have caused players to become increasingly upset and frustrated. Iga Swiatek, who is presently ranked no. 1 in the world for women’s singles, has recently expressed her displeasure with these actions. Her season concluded in Cancun, Mexico, on the highest possible note, and since then, she has been vocal in her opposition to various WTA issues.
The new calendar states that there will be ten WTA 1000 events. Seven of them will take place over nearly two weeks, in addition to the introduction of four new WTA 500 tournaments. This will raise the total number of events in a season to 17. There will be more WTA 1000 events that are required as a result of the expansion. Players have begun to voice concerns and highlight the negative effects of such demanding schedules.
When asked if the WTA was paying attention to her opinions, Iga Swiatek responded as follows: “There is room for improvement. As players, we are unhappy with the calendar for next year and how the number of mandatory tournaments and withdrawal restrictions has increased. We want to change that. We need more balance and time to get home. Sometimes, however, we beat our heads against the wall.”
Swiatek added: “Some of the decisions seem to be the result of promises made to third parties, federations, and tournament organizers. We find out about them after the fact. This causes frustration. Only a handful of players knew about the calendar reform and the WTA cannot lead to such a situation again since it considers itself an organization created for female tennis players.”
The 22-year-old had previously voiced her displeasure with the WTA for not including players in their decision-making. For better outcomes, she underlined the significance of an open channel of communication between the players and the WTA. According to Swiatek, the number of required tournaments may eventually have an effect on players’ physical and emotional health.
Iga Swiatek in 2023
WWWWLWLWWW Currently ranked no.1, the Pole played her last match on the 6th of November when she overcame world no.5 Jessica Pegula 6-1 6-0 in the final in Cancun to win her 17th career title.
Currently, during this year Iga achieved a compiled 68-11 match record. Swiatek clinched 6 titles in 2023 in Doha, Stuttgart, French Open, Warsaw, Beijing and Cancun. Swiatek was the finalist in Dubai and Madrid.
