"Did Alcaraz play one match second at night?": Stubbs backs Swiatek amid scheduling comments at Madrid Open
WTA
Rennae
Stubbs defended Iga Swiatek's comments about the schedule of the Madrid Open
final and compared it to Carlos Alcaraz's match.
The former coach
of Serena Williams commented on Instagram on Swiatek's remarks after she lost
the Madrid Open final to world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, which was her first
defeat on clay this season. After the final, Swiatek expressed her displeasure
with the late-night schedule: "(it wasn't) fun to play at 1 am in the
night."
Read also
Many fans
on Twitter began discussing and debating Swiatek's comments. Rennae Stubbs
joined the discussion in support of Swiatek and mentioned Carlos Alcaraz's
match:
A user
replied that the schedule is the responsibility of the TV broadcast, but Stubbs
argued that the ATP and WTA boards should request an improvement in the
schedule.
“TV does NOT decide, they request. The tournament director then works with the TV networks, the WTA & the ATP. They then decide based on many different factors,” wrote Stubbs to the fan.
Read also
The user
again responded that it was a violation of the rules for Swiatek to criticize
the schedule or the tournament, which Stubbs also disagreed with.
After her
loss in Madrid, Swiatek traveled to the Internazionali BNL d'Italia Rome, where
she defends her title and will debut in the second round against the winner
between Sara Errani and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

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.
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