Iga Swiatek claims she observed that the top players were not treated equally when she rose to the top of the world rankings. She stated that her criticism of the WTA on multiple occasions arose from her desire to serve as a role model for all players.
On April 4, 2022, Swiatek, who had just turned 20 years old in May of 2021, made her debut in the top ten. This was her first time reaching the top rank on the globe. Swiatek appeared to observe a positive shift in treatment after making a name for herself as one of the world’s top players.
Swiatek blasted the WTA schedule this year, saying that it is too lengthy and demanding and that their plans will only make things worse for the players. Swiatek also criticized the 2023 WTA Finals organizers and blasted tennis players for their punctuality.
Swiatek expressed her thoughts in the latest interview and said: “In fact, when I became number one, I could see how top players were treated differently. And the players who are just rising. I would say that on the court itself, it doesn’t matter where it comes from or what its history is because how it plays and what it achieves will depend on what it shows on the court. And off the court? Well, you can feel the difference. I just did it a few times. I have raised some things in the media and criticized the WTA at times, so I realize this may be uncomfortable for them. But I also just try to be a leader who stands behind the players.”
She further said: “The main priority is for the players to be well and good because without us, it wouldn’t exist and sometimes I would just be in the world of business and money. I think it’s easy for corporations like this to forget that we should be the backbone of it all. And I try to remind myself of this, which sometimes may not be convenient when we are discussing some issues and I have different opinions than these.”
Jak długo @iga_swiatek zamierza grać w tenisa? Kto zajmuje się jej finansami? W co inwestuje i dlaczego mogłaby być księgową? By poznać odpowiedzi na te i inne pytania, obejrzyjcie 🎥 z naszej sesji Q&A z liderką rankingu i najlepszą zawodniczką 2023 @WTA! 👇 #PZU #GłównySponsor pic.twitter.com/8FRe1LJPxH
— Grupa PZU (@GrupaPZU) December 15, 2023
Iga Swiatek in 2023
WLWLWWWWLW Currently the world 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.
Presently, during this year Iga owns an overall 68-11 record. Swiatek has won 6 titles in 2023 in Doha, Stuttgart, French Open, Warsaw, Beijing and Cancun. Iga reached the final in Dubai and Madrid.
