‘Unhappy’ Iga Swiatek Lashes Out at the WTA Following the ‘Calendar Reform’ Debacle
The WTA has raised concerns and frustrations among the players with its recent forceful moves. The current world number 1 in women’s singles, Iga Swiatek is ‘unhappy’ with these moves and has heavily criticized them recently. After ending her season on the highest note in 2023 in Cancun, she’s been quite busy raising her voice against multiple issues with WTA.
2024 marks an important year in the tennis calendar with Grand Slam and Summer Olympics happening in the same year. But despite these mega-events, there are few changes in other tournaments that will expand the number of matches per season. That’s good news for all tennis fans but for the players?
According to the new calendar, the number of WTA 1000 events will jump to 10. Among them 7 will span for almost two weeks plus 4 new WTA 500 tournaments will also be introduced. This will bring it to a total of 17 events in a single season. The expansion will also lead to an increase in the number of mandatory WTA 1000 events. Players have started to raise their eyebrows and emphasize the toll of such intense schedules. Here’s what Iga Swiatek said when asked if the WTA listening is listening to her views.
‘There is room for improvement. As players, we are unhappy with the calendar for next year and how the number of mandatory tournaments and withdrawal restrictions has increased. We want to change that. We need more balance and time to get home. Sometimes, however, we beat our heads against the wall. Some of the decisions seem to be the result of promises made to third parties, federations, tournament organizers. We find out about them after the fact. This causes frustration. Only a handful of players knew about the calendar reform and the WTA cannot lead to such a situation again. Since it considers itself an organization created for female tennis players,‘- said Iga Swiatek.
