On WTA website there is a confirmation of the upcoming second penalty for Swiatek and Sabalenka rankings. Next Monday they will lose points from WTA Finals 2023 and they have to drop one more result as they didn't need the criteria on mandatory events. wtatennis.com/news/4153375/r…
Sabalenka and Swiatek set for second sudden penalty ahead of battle for World No.1 at WTA Finals
WTAThursday, 24 October 2024 at 12:00
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek bizarrely faced a penalty this week which saw the Belarusian claim the World No.1 spot despite not being expected to or even playing.
With both not playing their mandatory amount of tournaments, it was thrust on to their rankings with a second penalty also coming as well as last year's WTA Finals points also coming off. They have to drop one more result as they didn't meet the criteria on mandatory events.
Albeit it is slightly bizarre as Swiatek should've only lost 1500 points but instead it is 1695 from her actual ranking. Sabalenka should've only lost 625 but instead is heading into Riyadh with 695 gone. It also opens a whole different debate when it comes to scheduling.
Both players especially Sabalenka have played a lot in 2024 and have taken breaks at certain junctures mostly in winning Grand Slams for Sabalenka. But both have decided not to play certain tournaments as a result and have been punished as a result.
This penalty too means that Sabalenka goes into Riyadh after only just taking top spot with a hefty 1,046 point advantage on Swiatek meaning that the latter has to defend her title in order to have a chance at Year End. Sabalenka though can secure it though without that happening. An unbeaten 3-0 record in the round robin would seal her fate. Even if Sabalenka wins only one or two, she will be guaranteed it if she reaches the final.
If Swiatek suffers an early loss though, Sabalenka will not have to reach the semi-finals. If Swiatek loses one round robin match, Sabalenka needs to win two to end 2024 as World No.1. If Swiatek loses two, Sabalenka can seal it with a single win.
But this new decision opens a can of worms which perhaps will be debated going into Riyadh about a new rule affecting a rule that removes the likelihood of it being dictated by actual ranking.
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Why does Tennisuptodate feel like her PR Department's constant deluge of daily/weekly media submissions are 'tennis news' ?
mandoist19-11-2024 - 'Apologies', in cases like this where people are caught being their True Selves, are best shoved up their butts.mandoist19-11-2024
- Paolini playing Swiatek and then has to come back an hour later to play doubles. The BJ Cup is like the rest of tennis entrepreneurs.PalopoDave18-11-2024
- Nice amount
AceOfBase18-11-2024 - Bitchy Jean King just said (in interview) "the WTA players should stop whining about the schedule and just Play". That's how she really feels about "my girls".mandoist16-11-2024
