Iga Swiatek Calls Out Tennis Authorities For 'Unsustainable' Schedule

Sports Other Sports

Posted by AI on 2025-06-30 15:38:21 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-06-30 16:42:13

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20-year-old Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek is no stranger to the spotlight. She stormed to a stunning victory at the French Open in 2020, becoming the first Polish player to win a Grand Slam singles title. But after experiencing a stark contrast in mood and energy at this year's Wimbledon, Swiatek decided to speak out about the sport she loves so much, saying that its current state is "unsustainable" and poses a serious threat to the health of its players.

While speaking with reporters, a visibly drained Swiatek explained why she opted to skip her national tennis team's upcoming Billie Jean King Cup qualifying match in April. The tennis star said that she feels it's vital to manage the overwhelming demands of the sport and cited the need for "someone who is going to represent Poland and then be able to give their best in every single match." She emphasized that "the schedule, the amount of tournaments, is just not sustainable."

Swiatek went on to explain that the breakneck pace of the tennis season can lead to burnout and injury, jeopardizing players' careers. She shared that she's seen fellow professionals undergo surgery after surgery, essentially forcing them into an early retirement.

The tennis phenom pointed to the significant disparity in the intensity of play at the year's biggest grand slams compared to the smaller tournaments, saying that the disparity ultimately isn't sustainable for the body.

"I feel like you have way more adrenaline during slams, and you play differently," she said. "You want to give your best during the slams, of course, but then you have, like, two, three weeks of a slump after, where you're not that motivated to play your best."

She also noted that the current ranking system, where players earn points based on their performances at weekly tournaments, doesn't effectively accommodate top players like herself who want to occasionally sit out lesser competitions to preserve their health and focus on the biggest events.

"I would love to see maybe a different ranking system because I feel like sometimes it's just not fair," she said. "You would maybe skip one tournament, and then you would lose your seeding, and then you have to play someone in the first round who is playing their best tennis ever on the surface."

Ultimately, Swiatek isn't afraid to speak up for what she believes is right for the sport she loves. While she's not the first player to call out the tennis calendar, her comments shed light on a growing chorus of voices calling for change in the interest of the players' long-term health and the sport's future.

Go!