Iga Swiatek points huge criticism on calendar and fires surprising warning to WTA

Iga Swiatek has dropped one other main assertion on the WTA Tour calendar, saying the calls for of it are “making it much less enjoyable for us gamers” and likewise warns that it’s “not going to finish nicely” if some issues do not change.

Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion and the very best participant within the recreation for over the previous two years, has been a vocal critic of the schedule for fairly a while. However at this week’s WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati, the 23-year-old Pole went a step additional together with her criticism. 

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First, Swiatek described the tennis calendar as “the hardest in all sports activities” and added that it was solely “getting crazier” as a substitute of higher. And whereas that declare made the headlines, the present world No. 1 had extra to say on the identical matter after edging out Mirra Andreeva 4-6 6-3 7-5 within the Cincinnati quarterfinal. 

“So what can I say I have been sort of an advocate, saying that nicely, we should not be pushing and pushing for us to play extra. Clearly, it is not our choice, however for certain, I believe we’ve got too many tournaments within the season. It isn’t gonna finish nicely because it’s simply it makes tennis much less enjoyable for us. Let’s simply say, I imply, clearly, I like enjoying all these locations nevertheless it’s fairly exhausting,” Swiatek instructed Sky Sports activities. 

Swiatek: Persons are going to hate me, however…

Fact be instructed, 4 huge tournaments began in a interval of 40 days – Wimbledon on July 1st, the Paris Olympics in late July, whereas the WTA 1000 event in Toronto began on August sixth and the Cincinnati occasion kicked off on August thirteenth. And gamers who’ve taken half at The Championships, Summer time Video games and not less than one of many tournaments throughout this yr’s North American hard-court swing, modified three completely different surfaces. 

And forward of the Cincinnati semifinal versus Aryna Sabalenka, Swiatek says she simply must be ready “to relaxation” somewhat between tournaments. 

“I believe many of the gamers might inform you that. Particularly once you’re enjoying on the excessive degree and, you realize, going to high-ranking tournaments. I do not suppose it must be like that. We need to relaxation somewhat bit extra clearly possibly. Persons are going to hate me for that as a result of it sounded bizarre that I am asking for relaxation. It would not make sense, however the reality is that you’ve got to maintain up with the Tour,” Swiatek added.

What Swiatek mentioned when she arrived in Cincinnati?

After touchdown a bronze medal for her nation, Swiatek skipped Toronto. However after coming to Cincinnati, the five-time Grand Slam champion wished to make it clear to everybody how she felt about this yr’s calendar. 

“Our calendar is loopy, most likely the hardest one in sports activities. There are sports activities which might be actually powerful as a result of, bodily, you may get beat up. However most sports activities have 4 months off, generally even six. Our schedule is loopy, and it’s getting extra loopy yearly, which is horrifying. You simply have to coach properly,” Swiatek acknowledged.

Since Swiatek positively did not really feel well-prepared for Cincinnati, she did not wish to put huge expectations on herself for the week. As an alternative, she revealed she was planning to take it simple and see what would occur.

“I do know that the primary event on exhausting courtroom is just not going to be simple. So I’m going to attempt to deal with it as a follow event, however not in a approach that I don’t care – extra in a approach that I wish to implement all of the stuff that I practiced on. I believe it’s the very best strategy for me now. We’re taking it simple, doing every thing step-by-step. For certain, it’s not going to be excellent from the start however I had a pair days to actually get used to the floor, so I’m attempting to do the very best job potential each day and getting into the courtroom subsequent day understanding I can do one thing higher,” Swiatek defined in her pre-tournament press convention.

Since making these statements, Swiatek has received her opening three matches in Cincinnati. Nevertheless, it is not that it was a cakewalk since two of her three wins got here by way of a decider – the Pole wanted three units to beat Andreeva and Varvara Gracheva whereas she solely beat Marta Kostyuk in straight units.

Immediately, Swiatek can be dealing with her hardest job but on the event when she meets No. 3 seed Aryna Sabalenka. This yr, Swiatek and Sabalenka performed twice throughout the grass season and the Pole received each of these conferences to enhance to 8-3 within the head-to-head towards the Belarusian. 

If Swiatek beats Sabalenka, she is going to make her first Cincinnati remaining.