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.
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- Spare us these predictable "news" pieces, please. It's a dead-end road she travels.
mandoist23-10-2024 - Sorry Emma, Sponsors are not going to keep shelling-out free cash and products for your PR team-driven news articles! Time to face facts. Talent is not always enough to overcome physical limitations.mandoist23-10-2024
- The end is nigh.Rapunzel22-10-2024
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- People should follow her lead... take the time to do this type of smack-down whenever possible. Keyboard Cowards are free to attack given there is little legal recourse. Let 'em have it. Of course, the best protection is to spend little or no time on anti-Social Media.mandoist21-10-2024
