"I think it's just an excuse not to give an interview": Daria Kasatkina jokingly starts petition to get Iga Swiatek on her vlog

Russian tennis star Daria Kasatkina has jokingly claimed that Poland’s Iga Swiatek stayed on the court to practice longer because she wanted to avoid having an interview on her blog.

The 26-year-old was recently quoted in a report where she stated that she practiced with the world number two who stayed on the court just to avoid appearing in her vlog.

"Just came back from the practice. Today, I was practicing with Iga but no interview. Iga, she decides to stay on the court to practice. But I think it's just an excuse not to give an interview," joked Kasatkina.

The world number three further went on to ask fans to come and comment expressing interest in seeing Swiatek in her vlog.

"Okay, I'm kidding, I'm really kidding,” she said. “Actually, we didn't ask so now it's the moment... an official statement. Iga... if you want you're always welcome to our vlog to talk with me and with Natasha [Natalia Zabiiako].

"Guys, if you want to see Iga on the vlog... come make a comment so she can see how many people would like to see her here. Now we're going to open the presents from the fans."

Swiatek is currently taking part in the China Open where she defeated the current world number three America’s young tennis sensation Coco Gauff in the semifinal in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-3.

She will now face Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in the final of the competition on Sunday.