Iga Swiatek has taken a fresh swipe at the governing body of women’s tennis by saying their decision to expand the number of premium events is ‘conducive’ to what they promote.
The world No.1 has been one of the most vocal players to speak out about concerns surrounding the new Tour calendar in 2024 which will feature 10 WTA 1000 events. Out of those 10, Madrid and Beijing are being expended to two weeks with larger draws. This year nine WTA 1000 events took place but the only one Swiatek won was Beijing.
Another factor in the new season is that the Olympics will also be taking place on clay at Roland Garros between Wimbledon and the US Open. Making an already packed calendar event more congested for players.
Speaking to Eurosport, Swiatek has called on the WTA to live up to their commitments to promoting a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance for players on the Tour.
“The calendar is changing towards even more duties, even greater expenditure of energy that we will have to devote while participating in tournaments, because the tournaments are also extended,” she said.
“It is simply not conducive to what the WTA promotes in other aspects, i.e. mental health, life balance in any way, physical health.
“I would make decisions that would be more conducive to what they promote and support.”
In recent weeks the head of the WTA, Steve Simon, has come under fire over his management of the Tour. A co-signed letter by many top players was sent to the organization outlining their concerns. According to The Athletic, some of the concerns that have been raised relate to higher pay on the Tour, scheduling adjustments to help support players, expanded childcare and calls for a member of the PTPA to be present on the WTA Player’s Council. Swiatek is also understood to have separately sent her own letter to the leadership.
On the court, things are going more smoothly for the 22-year-old who reclaimed her No.1 ranking during last month’s WTA Finals where she won her 17th tour title. Swiatek describes the pressure of trying to defend her top position as ‘overwhelming’ and was briefly removed from the top by Aryna Sabalenka. A player who she feels is more worthy of receiving the year-end no.1 crown.
“She deserved it,” said Swiatek. “She had a great season. She won a Grand Slam, was in the final of another Grand Slam and in two semi-finals, so it was an amazing season.
“I just preferred to focus on other things, because the pressure related to the No. 1 spot was a bit overwhelming in the middle of the season.
“For this reason, I didn’t play very freely until the US Open, and then I knew that I just had to change this attitude and approach the next tournaments differently, just be a different player who didn’t focus on all that things. Although I always try to do it, but it doesn’t always work out.”
Swiatek is set to begin her 2024 season at the United Cup. Poland has been drawn into Group A along with Brazil and Spain. They will play their group matches in Perth.
