"Would be a perfect solution": Iga Swiatek proposes a 9-Month WTA Calendar

Iga Swiatek opened up about the lengthy WTA schedule, suggesting a 9-month calendar instead of the current 11-month season. The Polish player has previously voiced concerns about the challenges of maintaining competitiveness throughout the year given the large number of tournaments.

Swiatek concluded her 2024 season at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, where Poland reached the semifinals but lost to eventual champions Italy. Her last match was on November 18, and she returned to action for the new season on December 30 at the United Cup.

Swiatek advocates for 9-Month WTA Calendar

The World No. 2 led Poland to the United Cup final for the second consecutive year but again fell short, losing to the USA. Swiatek dropped the opening match against Coco Gauff, who secured the first point for the Americans.

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The 5-time Grand Slam champion recently appeared on the Tennis Insider Club podcast, where she discussed the lifestyle of a professional tennis player. “I like it,” said Swiatek. “I think it would be easier on us if it was nine months instead of 11. That would be a perfect solution, I would say.”

“Overall, I love this. When I am home for too long, I want to go somewhere, but this season is long. You can feel it at the end; it is hard to be motivated all the time,” added the 4-time Roland Garros champion. “I think it’s even impossible to be motivated all the time, even when your goals are the highest. I like the intensity, but if it’s like 11 months out of 12 in the year, sometimes you get tough moments for sure.”

“This is something we need to adjust to. For now, I think I have been pretty good at it, but I don’t understand how we got to this point where we have to play for 11 months,” she commented.

“Also, not playing some events—I feel like a couple of years ago, it was just about planning and everything, but when you are top five and you are not going to play Billie Jean King Cup or national events, there are a lot of people disappointed."

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“There are also mandatory tournament rules. It makes it impossible to make decisions as easy decisions, just planning-wise. Now there is more pressure to play everything.”

Swiatek has played a total of five matches at the start of the season, with a 4-1 record. Her next challenge is the Australian Open, where she aims to improve on her 2023 performance and stands as one of the favourites. The Polish star has the chance to reclaim the World No. 1 ranking if she outperforms Aryna Sabalenka, the 2-time defending champion.

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