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 too many tournaments within the season,” she mentioned. “It’s not going to finish nicely. It makes tennis much less enjoyable for us. I like enjoying in all these locations, nevertheless it’s fairly exhausting and I feel a lot of the WTA gamers would inform you that, particularly if you’re enjoying at a excessive stage.”

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

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

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

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

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

In Swiatek’s protection, there are extra obligatory tournaments now for prime gamers – naturally, the tour desires 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 actually is turning into extra of a grind for a participant like her.

We must always hearken to her phrases, and ask ourselves: do we would like a generational expertise burned out earlier than she turns 25? Makes one consider Ash Barty, who little doubt had her reservations concerning 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 probably 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 inform you what you deserve! You should receives a commission lots lower than you do now!! How about that??”