“I never really looked at the schedule that way”: Iga Swiatek addresses equality debate between tours

Iga Swiatek addressed the ongoing debate surrounding equality between the ATP and WTA Tours after advancing at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, offering a measured response during her press conference in Indian Wells. The world No. 2 said she had not analysed scheduling differences between men’s and women’s matches in depth, emphasising instead that she feels players on the women’s tour are treated well within the shared tournament environment.

The comments came after another convincing performance in the California desert, where Swiatek defeated Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-2 to reach the fourth round. The result carried added significance for the Polish star, who had fallen to the Greek in Doha only weeks earlier before turning the rivalry back in her favour in Indian Wells.

Swiatek’s victory continues a strong record at the BNP Paribas Open, where she has previously lifted the title twice (2022, 2024), and both defeating Sakkari in the final. The slow, high-bouncing courts in Indian Wells have historically suited her heavy topspin baseline game and patient point construction.

Awaiting Swiatek in the next round will be Karolina Muchova, the recent champion of her first WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Open. The matchup has often produced tight contests despite the Pole holding the edge in the head-to-head, adding another intriguing chapter to a rivalry that has already delivered several competitive encounters on tour — including the 2023 Roland Garros final, where the Polish star claimed victory to secure her third title in Paris.

When asked about equality between the men’s and women’s tours, Swiatek said she does not view scheduling through a strict lens of parity. Instead, she emphasised that personal preferences often differ among players, making the conversation more complex than simply comparing time slots or match billing.

The Pole explained that some competitors may prefer evening matches while others favour daytime conditions, suggesting that what appears unequal on paper may not necessarily be perceived that way by players themselves. From her perspective, adapting to the schedule is simply part of life on the professional tour.

“I never really looked at the schedule from this perspective, because for example you guys can say the night session is the best match to play, but I want to play day session,” the 24-year-old player said. “So if it's not equal and I'm getting day session, I'll be fine with it.”

Swiatek also pointed out that she has little insight into how requests from players are handled behind the scenes. Because competitors often have individual preferences or logistical considerations, she believes it is difficult to judge whether inequalities exist without understanding the full context.

“I feel like we have good treatment, so there is nothing I would say is bad about our life on tour. It's tough, obviously, because this sport is tough, but we play the same tournaments and we are in the same environment.”

Next up for Swiatek is a fourth-round meeting with Karolina Muchova, a player she has frequently praised for her creativity and tactical intelligence. Although the Polish star leads their head-to-head 4-1, many of their matches have been closely contested, often stretching into tight deciding sets.

Muchova enters the match in strong form herself, having recently captured a WTA 1000 title in Doha and arriving in Indian Wells with growing momentum. Her varied style — blending heavy groundstrokes with slices, drop shots and net approaches — has often posed problems even for the tour’s most consistent baseliners.

“It’s going to be tough. I remember all these matches I played against her — sometimes I was down a break in the third set. She's an amazing player and most of the times we played really tight matches.”

Swiatek added that she enjoys watching the Czech’s game, praising her fluid movement and strategic awareness. The Pole even offered a comparison that underlines the respect she holds for her upcoming opponent. “Honestly, I love playing against her. I also love watching Karolina. It’s just nice to see someone who plays so smart and so smooth. She's like woman's Roger.”