"Merger": Nick Kyrgios responds to Iga Swiatek's "empty seats" comment at 2023 WTA Finals
Tennis NewsTuesday, 31 October 2023 at 19:30
Nick
Kyrgios reacted to Iga Swiatek's comments about the 'empty seats' at the WTA
Finals.
World No. 2
Iga Swiatek had a successful debut in her third consecutive participation in
the WTA Finals, claiming victory over the 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa
Vondrousova with a score of 7-6(3), 6-0 in a masterclass of tennis.
In the
in-court interview after the match, Swiatek urged Mexican fans to attend the
tournament to fill the empty seats that were visible during the first two days.
The video shared on social media drew a response from the Australian Nick
Kyrgios:
"I
hope for the next matches we can make the stadium full, because there are many
empty seats. Guys, please come and watch our game. We are giving 100% in every
match," Iga Swiatek said.
"'Merger,"
Nick Kyrgios wrote on X.
The venue
for the Finals in Cancun was announced just six weeks ago, and the organization
had to prepare the tournament against the clock. Just days before the start of
the tournament, there were still sections of the stadium under construction,
and the players themselves did not have enough time to train on the main court.
The WTA has
faced criticism for the delay in securing a venue for the Finals, especially
considering that they encountered a similar situation last year. In 2022, the
confirmed venue was Fort Worth, Texas, only a few weeks before the event, and
not all the tickets were sold, leading to matches with less than half of the
seats occupied.
Read also
The third
day of the tournament will be played on Tuesday, October 31, with two new
matches in Group X. First, Jessica Pegula (5th) will challenge the world No. 1
Aryna Sabalenka, and whoever wins would be practically assured of a spot in the
semifinals.
The day
will conclude with a match between Elena Rybakina (4th) and Maria Sakkari
(8th), both of whom are under pressure to win as they started the round-robin
with a loss.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
- Is there no one in Pro Tennis willing to give this one some form of intervention before she crashes??
mandoist04-09-2026 - Double Standards for the male players? Gross. BTW: This "apology" reads like the one his lawyers wrote for him when he had to go to the Kangaroo Court for slapping his girlfriend around.mandoist04-09-2026
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not just the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- In her defense... she has no "defense" and likely could not articulate it if she did.mandoist03-09-2026
- Someone is not enjoying her gradual slide down the rankings, which became noticeable last season. BTW: That reporter's on to something familiar -- the effects of Social Media Stardom on one's Second Priority (Tennis). Shades of Bouchard, Giorgi, Raducanu, etc.mandoist03-09-2026
- Sabalenka seems so unhappy. When you get angry after every mistake you make on court, you’ve got some issues sweetie! She also does seem to be “partying” a lot if you follow her social media (I don’t lolol). Very immature personality.DaveyWavey03-09-2026
- The main difference for bigger names like Alcaraz, Sinner, Zverez, etc. is that they usually make it to the later stages of tournaments while 99% of the other players win a round or two and then move on to the next tournament. The bigger names are playing more, playing longer and therefore more injury issues. The money is great but it all comes with a price!DaveyWavey03-09-2026
Loading
