“I don’t think there’s a reason to complain”: Muguruza weighs in on WTA schedule debate

WTA Finals Director Garbine Muguruza believes players ‘have nothing to complain about’ amid the debate over the WTA schedule. Recently, Iga Swiatek has been one of the most vocal advocates for improving the calendar to allow players more recovery time.

The 5-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek recently lost her world No. 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka after receiving a points penalty for not participating in the required number of mandatory tournaments set by the WTA. Swiatek skipped two WTA 1000 events in Asia and only played two of the six WTA 500 tournaments mandatory for top-10 players.

While Swiatek played down the significance of losing the top ranking, she criticized the limited recovery time players have, especially with most WTA 1000 tournaments now running over two weeks. “Obviously, it’s not our decision, but for sure, I think we have too many tournaments in the season. It’s not going to end well, and it makes tennis less fun for us, let’s just say,” Swiatek told SkySports earlier in the season.

The former world No. 1 Muguruza weighed in on the issue, expressing that there’s no real reason for players to complain. “Personally, would I have stayed longer [in the sport] if it were different? No, I don’t think so because I never complained about the tour,” she said.

“It is what it is. We have so many opportunities, and you can also make your own schedule. You don’t have to be forced to play all the tournaments,” the 2021 WTA Finals champion added. “It’s great to have so many tournaments, so many opportunities for players who are not top 50, not top 10. And after that, you can make your own schedule.”

Muguruza added that top players, in particular, have the ability to adjust their schedules based on how they feel. “I don’t think there’s a reason to complain.”

“I think it’s the opposite. It’s great. You make your own schedule, and you know your own capacity. Especially if you’re winning a lot of matches, you’re like, okay, maybe I should relax here, maybe I should go harder here,” the 2-time Grand Slam champion said.