Iga Swiatek, the world’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, has sparked a debate about the demanding WTA schedule. Swiatek, who has won five titles this year including the French Open, criticized the congested calendar, stating that it makes tennis less enjoyable and is unsustainable for players.
“I’ve been kind of an advocate in saying that we shouldn’t, I don’t know… be pushing and pushing for us to play more,” Swiatek told SkySports. “Obviously it is not our decision, but for sure I think we have too many tournaments in the season. It makes tennis less fun for us. Obviously I love playing in all these places, but it’s pretty exhausting. I don’t think it should be like that because we deserve to rest a little bit more. Maybe people are going to hate me for that.”
Swiatek’s comments have sparked a debate about the physical and mental demands placed on professional tennis players. Former tennis star Yevgeny Kafelnikov sharply criticized Swiatek on social media, suggesting that her complaints were unwarranted and even arguing that she should be paid less for expressing such views.
“Is someone pushing you to play ??? All you fricking do is complain!! I’ll tell you what you deserve ! You deserve to get paid a lot less than you do now!! How about that??” Kafelnikov posted on X.
However, many players have expressed similar frustrations with the tennis calendar, which often leaves little room for rest. The pressure to maintain rankings and secure earnings forces players to compete in more tournaments than might be advisable for their health. This grueling schedule can lead to injuries and burnout, ultimately shortening careers.
Tennis journalist Bastien Fachan defended Swiatek, saying, “She’s way more successful at 23 than you were in your entire career, sit this one out champ.”
Another fan said, “How can a former pro talk such sh*t. You should be ashamed of yourself. You can only dream of achieving what she already has. What she has said is 100% correct and speaking out is not complaining.”
Daria Kasatkina, another prominent player, came to Swiatek’s defense, pointing out the significant differences in earnings between past and present players.
The debate over the WTA schedule is likely to continue, as players balance the desire to compete with the need for rest and recovery.
