Świątek supported Rybakina. The problem is getting louder. After dropping out of the WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal, Jelena Rybakina did not leave a dry thread on the organizers. Iga Świątek agreed with her words at the press conference.
"The problem is getting louder": Fans praise Iga Swiatek for siding with Rybakina and Sabalenka on criticism of WTA scheduling
WTATuesday, 15 August 2023 at 15:57
Fans have praised Iga Swiatek for supporting Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka by criticizing the WTA's scheduling of late-night matches at the recent National Bank Canadian Open (Omnium Banque Nationale) in Montreal.
World No. 1 Swiatek called out the scheduling of matches, saying it doesn't allow players to rest properly.
After having to play until 3am during her quarter-final clash with Daria Kasatkina at the WTA 1000 event, 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina said she thought the current leadership of the WTA was 'weak'.
"I think it's been a little bit unprofessional from the - I cannot say really the tournament because I think that the most important is the WTA here. Leadership a little bit weak for now, but hopefully something is going to change because this year it was many situations which I cannot really understand," Rybakina said.
Swiatek voices her support
Swiatek voiced her agreement with Rybakina at the pre-tournament press conference for the Western & Southern Cincinnati Open in Ohio.
"For sure, weather is something we can’t really predict, but maybe we should focus more on what is healthy for players because we have to compete every week," she said.
The 22-year-old added that she had brought up a similar request earlier in the season at the Rome Open after world No. 2 Sabalenka was left exhausted due to having to play the first match while still recovering from the Madrid Open.
"Aryna [Sabalenka] played the first day and she honestly said she was exhausted and couldn’t recover from Madrid. I requested to play second day but because of my request, I was always scheduled for the second match of the night session. It’s pretty hard to handle it when you have to play in the middle of the night for a couple of weeks," she added.
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Fans praise Swiatek's criticism of WTA scheduling
Following the press conference, many fans took to social media to praise the Polish player for her stance on the issue and for siding with her fellow players.
"Świątek supported Rybakina. The problem is getting louder. After dropping out of the WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal, Jelena Rybakina did not leave a dry thread on the organizers. Iga Świątek agreed with her words at the press conference," wrote one on Twitter.
"As the true number one she is. Not speaking only when affects her!!! Great Iga!!!" added another.
"Drag them Iga. So glad you backed Elena and Aryna. Enough is enough. WTA caring more about money than their players is not acceptable. Calling for changes just in time since they increased the amount of mandatory tournaments," commented a third.
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