The length and intensity of the WTA calendar has been a recurring topic among top players. Iga Swiatek recently described the requirements as excessive, pointing to the physical and mental toll on athletes. Her comments came after a series of retirements and withdrawals that reignited the discussion about whether the tour demands too much from its stars.
Qinwen Zheng’s perspective
Asked to respond to Swiatek’s remarks, Qinwen Zheng offered a different view. “I mean, this is part of the games. As a professional player, I mean, this is what it is because we have to play that many tournament because there is in the calendar.
I think my situation’s different than them. I coming from surgery, which is really rush decision for me to playing here. But also it is the right decision for me because I want to see where my body is right now.
Okay, now I know to compete third set, the amount of hitting the balls is too much for me. But I don’t think for professional player the calendar is too much because the strongest players survive, and that’s the rules in my head.”
A contrasting approach
While Swiatek emphasizes the strain of a packed schedule, Zheng frames it as a natural filter that rewards resilience. Her comments underline a philosophical divide among players: some call for reform to protect health and longevity, while others accept the demands as part of professional sport.
The broader implications
The debate highlights the challenge for the WTA in balancing commercial commitments with player welfare. As more athletes voice their perspectives, the conversation around scheduling is likely to intensify, shaping the future of the tour and the way players prepare for its demands.
WTA Beijing - Iga Swiatek's projected path
Swiatek in Beijing, ranking, and results in 2025
Now ranked no.2, Iga has managed to achieve a compiled 59-13 win-loss record in 2025. Swiatek is playing in Beijing where she bested the world no.110 Yue Yuan 6-0 6-3 and the world no.83 Maria Camila Osorio Serrano 6-0 ret..
will face the world no.17 Emma Navarro in the 4th round on Wednesday at 7:00 pm on CAPITAL GROUP DIAMOND. Their current head to head is 2-0 for Swiatek.Swiatek conquered 3 titles in 2025 in Wimbledon, Cincinnati and Seoul. Swiatek was the finalist in Australia (United Cup) and in Bad Homburg (Bad Homburg Open).
Iga won 26 titles in her career: 15 on hard courts, 10 on clay courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)
Qinwen Zheng in 2025
At the moment ranked no.9, the Chinese played her last match on the 29th of September when she had to retire when playing against world no.27 Linda Noskova in the 3rd round and the scoreline was 6-4 3-6 3-0 .
At present, during this year Qinwen owns a compiled 20-12 win-loss record. Qinwen Zheng’s best result of the year was reaching the semifinal in Rome and London.
Iga Swiatek and Qinwen Zheng clashed against each other 8 times. Their current record is 7-1 for Swiatek.