A backhand to WTA: World No.1 Iga Swiatek serves up some harsh reality checks on not putting players first and current tour demands
WTAFriday, 08 December 2023 at 19:30
Iga Swiatek has given a damning verdict on the WTA and believes they do not practice what they preach when it comes to handling the demands put on their players and using mental health initiatives while being hypocritical and making players stay on the road all season with more tournaments.
Going forward the WTA calendar extends with the number of WTA 1000 tournaments increasing to 10, with Madrid and Beijing extending to two weeks with larger draws. The Paris Olympic Games which her coach said she was preparing for in December already is also slotted between Wimbledon and US Open.
Greater expenditure of energy for WTA players slammed
The 1000 tournaments being mandatory means that players Swiatek risk fines for not playing and being World No.1 and the lynchpin of the sport, Swiatek is expected to play these tournaments which she said the sport needs to do better at.
"The calendar is changing towards even more duties, even greater expenditure of energy that we will have to devote while participating in tournaments, because the tournaments are also extended," the 22-year-old told Eurosport.
But Swiatek also gave a damning verdict on the WTA and how they are hypocritical in all of this. She said that they promote well-being of players and mental health while in reality not putting it first so it acts almost as tokenism instead of an actual workable change.
"It is simply not conducive to what the WTA promotes in other aspects, i.e. mental health, life balance in any way, physical health. I would make decisions that would be more conducive to what they promote and support."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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- WOW !!! Her comebacks have been intense. She's Baaaaack!
mandoist08-09-2026 - Don't lay this shitshow on "Americans". It is a long-running Ego trip with WTA allowing these two Elitists 'in need of a Camera' illicit Wildcards. If these two clowns want to "perform" -- then play the qualies.mandoist08-09-2026
- Here we go again…. Different rules for Americans! Especially THESE Americans. Yuck!DaveyWavey07-09-2026
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