World number one Iga Swiatek has voiced her discontent over the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) scheduling of events, attributing the irregularity in tournament winners to the demanding calendar. This comes in the wake of her quarterfinal defeat to Mirra Andreeva at the Dubai tournament, which recorded a 6-3, 6-3 loss for the Polish player.
Swiatek’s defeat in Dubai arrived just a week following a similar loss to Jelena Ostapenko at the Qatar Open. This string of disappointments has led to the top five seeds, including Swiatek, exiting early from the tournament. Swiatek was candid in her criticism of the WTA’s hectic scheduling, stating it makes it difficult for players to maintain consistency.
She pointed out that the grueling schedule, which requires players to switch between continents, playing surfaces, and even types of balls, is not conducive to consistent performance. The five-time Grand Slam champion, who last lifted a title at Roland Garros in 2024, remarked on the drastic shift in preparation this year due to her early exit in Australia, leaving her with limited practice time.
Swiatek’s criticism of the WTA’s scheduling echoes similar sentiments expressed by Aryna Sabalenka, the current WTA world number one. Sabalenka admitted to struggling with her game in the Middle East, attributing it to exhaustive preparations and the residual effects of the Australian leg of the circuit.
Meanwhile, the victor of the quarterfinal match, Mirra Andreeva, made history by becoming the youngest woman to both defeat Swiatek and reach the semi-finals in the history of the Dubai tournament. Andreeva confessed to being nervous before the match, but credited her aggressive and active gameplay for her success. She also appreciated the support of the fans, highlighting their contribution to her landmark victory.
Andreeva is set to face Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 in Dubai. As for Swiatek, her next appearance will be at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, slated for March 2-16.
This recent controversy surrounding WTA’s scheduling has sparked a conversation about the need for change in the way events are planned, emphasizing a balance between the competitive spirit of the sport and the wellbeing of the athletes.