Iga Swiatek Questions Intense Tennis Schedule Amid China Open Injuries

BEIJING, China – World number two Iga Swiatek expressed serious concerns about the lengthy and grueling tennis season, suggesting she may have to skip mandatory tournaments for her health. The statement follows a series of injuries at the China Open, with five matches going unfinished due to player retirements on September 30.

Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, made her comments after her round of 64 match against Colombia’s Camila Osorio. Osorio retired from the match after losing the first set 6-0, adding to the growing list of players affected by injuries during the tournament.

“I think people are more fatigued,” Swiatek told reporters. “Unfortunately, the Asian Swing is the hardest part because you feel like the season is going to finish soon, but you still need to push.”

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has strict rules requiring players to enter all four Grand Slam tournaments, 10 WTA 1000 events, and six WTA 500 competitions annually. Missing these events can lead to severe penalties, including loss of ranking points and fines.

<p“Maybe I will have to choose some tournaments and skip them, even though they are mandatory,” Swiatek noted, suggesting a potential shift in her approach to future competitions if the intense schedule continues. “It’s tough. We have to be smart about it and think what's healthy for us,” she added.

The WTA stated that athlete welfare is a top priority and that feedback from players will help improve the structure and management of the circuit. As part of this effort, the WTA has announced a $400 million increase in player compensation over the next ten years.

However, not all players agree with the current setup. The Professional Tennis Players’ Association filed a lawsuit against the sport’s governing bodies in March, claiming the schedule is “unsustainable” and detrimental to player health. The WTA dismissed these claims as “baseless,” defending its policies as essential for growing the sport.

Swiatek’s comments resonate with many in the tennis community, as top athletes like Novak Djokovic have started to scale back their schedules as they approach the latter stages of their careers. The ongoing debate over player health and the demanding tennis calendar shows no signs of settling as the season progresses.

As Swiatek prepares to face American Emma Navarro in the next round, the tennis world remains attentive to her words and the pressing need for change in the sport’s scheduling practices.