Swiatek’s Comments on WTA Schedule Draw the Ire of Former World No.1 Kafelnikov

“Clearly, it’s not our determination, however I feel we’ve got too many tournaments within the season,” she stated. “It’s not going to finish properly. It makes tennis much less enjoyable for us. I really like enjoying in all these locations, however it’s fairly exhausting and I feel many of the WTA gamers would let you know that, particularly whenever you’re enjoying at a excessive degree.”

Earlier than we proceed, it have to be stated that Swiatek comes from a unique perspective on the prime of the WTA’s meals chain. She wins lots of matches, and due to this fact performs lots of grinding weeks on tour.

The 23-year-old has already performed 62 matches and can seemingly play one other 20 or 30. That’s the lay of the land if you find yourself a gentle power on the prime of the game. Swiatek has at all times made it clear how a lot she values her relaxation, however with so many occasions to play – a lot of them obligatory – she’s usually operating on fumes at tournaments, each mentally and bodily.

“I don’t assume it must be like that as a result of we need to relaxation a little bit bit extra. Possibly persons are going to hate me (for saying that),” she added.

The Pole’s feedback may be considered as a tad tone deaf by gamers who, not like Swiatek, want the rating factors and the prize cash on provide.

It’s no secret how tough life outdoors of the Prime 100 and even Prime 50 may be on tour, so certainly an abundance of enjoying alternatives will help gamers which are challenged by the sports activities’ usually merciless backside line.

In Swiatek’s protection, there are extra obligatory tournaments now for prime gamers – naturally, the tour needs to showcase its prime expertise at extra venues and through extra weeks – and with the growth of many Masters occasions from one week to 2 weeks, it really is changing into extra of a grind for a participant like her.

We should always take heed to her phrases, and ask ourselves: do we wish a generational expertise burned out earlier than she turns 25? Makes one consider Ash Barty, who little doubt had her reservations in regards to the tennis grind earlier than she retired on prime of the game on the age of 25.

Opinions on Swiatek’s feedback are blended. Gathering essentially the most buzz had been the feedback of Yvgeny Kafelnikov on X.

“Is somebody pushing you to play,” he wrote. “All you fricking do is complain!! I’ll let you know what you deserve! You need to receives a commission loads lower than you do now!! How about that??”