World Number Two Iga Swiatek Criticizes Demanding Tennis Calendar May Skip Mandatory Tournaments
Written byTimes Magazine
World number two and six time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek has made a powerful statement regarding the demanding nature of the professional tennis schedule, unequivocally declaring that the season is too long and too intense. Her comments come amid heightened scrutiny of the sport's 11 month calendar, particularly during the grueling Asian swing, which has seen an alarming number of matches ended prematurely by player injuries and fatigue. Swiatek's third round match at the China Open, for example, ended with her opponent Camila Osorio retiring with an abdominal injury.
Swiatek highlighted a concerning trend of widespread fatigue among players, noting the immense pressure felt during the final stretch of the year. “I think people are more fatigued,” the Polish star told reporters. “Unfortunately, the Asian Swing is the hardest part because you feel like the season is going to finish soon, but you still need to push. It is because the season is too long and too intense.” This sentiment was underscored by multiple retirements and withdrawals across both the men's and women's draws in Beijing, a clear sign of the physical toll the current schedule is taking.
The four time French Open champion took particular aim at the WTA's mandatory rules, which oblige top players to compete in all four Grand Slams, ten WTA 1000 tournaments, and six WTA 500 events. Swiatek called these requirements “pretty crazy” and impractical for elite players to fulfill while maintaining health. “I don't think any top player will actually be able to achieve this. It's impossible to squeeze it in the schedule,” she stated.
Looking ahead, Swiatek suggested that she might be forced to cut back her playing time to prioritize her physical well being. “I don't know yet how my career is going to look like in a couple years. Maybe I will have to choose some tournaments and skip them, even though they are mandatory,” she confessed. She stressed the importance of a smart approach: “We have to be smart about it, not really unfortunately care about the rules and just think what's healthy for us. It's tough.” Swiatek's willingness to consider skipping mandatory events, risking potential fines or ranking point penalties, is a stark demonstration of her belief that the current system is unsustainable for player welfare. Her voice joins a growing chorus demanding reform to the tennis calendar.
