Iga Swiatek, the world’s second-ranked tennis player, has once again taken a swing at the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) grueling tournament calendar, following a shocking defeat by 17-year old Mirra Andreeva in the Dubai quarterfinals. The stern critique comes amidst a series of disappointing performances that have left fans and critics questioning what’s behind Swiatek’s recent dip in form.
The journey to the top of professional tennis is no cakewalk, and Swiatek’s trials and tribulations in 2025 have put this reality into stark relief. A thrilling semi-final defeat at the Australian Open, a sudden halt in Qatar at the hands of Jelena Ostapenko, and the unexpected upset by Andreeva in Dubai have left the Polish star seemingly hitting a wall.
Swiatek, however, has a clear idea of what’s causing her slump. In a heated post-match press conference, she pointed a finger at the demanding tournament schedule. “For sure it’s a calendar thing,” she said, “we’re not going to be able to be consistent for many years playing week by week.”
Swiatek’s words echo a sentiment she first voiced in 2024, when she described the schedule as “exhausting” and called for players to have more control over their tournament commitments. She highlighted the strain of mandatory tournaments, leaving players with little time for training or rest.
Swiatek’s frustrations were palpable after her shock defeat in Dubai. She bypassed her customary post-match handshake with coach Wim Fissette and made a beeline for the locker room, a move that sparked speculation about her emotional state and relationship with her team.
Swiatek isn’t the only player feeling the crunch. Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked player, and third-ranked Coco Gauff also suffered early exits in Dubai. Sabalenka cited a lack of motivation, while Gauff has been grappling with ongoing serve and forehand issues.
It’s not been all smooth sailing for Swiatek since her coaching switch in October 2024. She replaced Tomasz Wiktorowski with Wim Fissette, only to face a one-month suspension for negligence following a positive test for TMZ, a banned substance found in a contaminated sleeping pill. Despite the turmoil, Fissette remained steadfast in his support.
Now, all eyes are on Swiatek as she prepares to defend her BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells from March 2-16. Last year, she vanquished Maria Sakkari in the final, a feat she hopes to repeat to get her season back on track. Can she shrug off her recent setbacks and reclaim her top form? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the WTA’s calendar layout won’t be off the hook anytime soon if Swiatek has her way.
