By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday November 24, 2023
In an in-depth interview, World No.1 Iga Swiatek has voiced her displeasure with the WTA’s 2024 calendar and some of the new regulations that go with it.
The four-time Grand Slam champion says that the addition of mandatory tournaments and related restrictions, intended to increase attendance at bigger events, are making it difficult for players to manage their own schedules.
“There is room for improvement,” she said during an interview with newspaper Rzeczpospolita. “As players, we are dissatisfied with the calendar for next year and the increase in the number of mandatory tournaments and restrictions related to withdrawing from them.
“We want to change this. We need more balance and time to get back home. Sometimes, however, we beat our heads against the wall. Some decisions seem to be the result of promises made to third parties, federations and tournament organizers.”
The players on tour have been butting heads with management of late. According to Matt Futterman of the Athletic, top players recently submitted a “lengthy list of requested improvements on everything from compensation and the tennis calendar to tournament operations and maternity coverage” in October. It was reportedly endorsed by 21 players, including most of the Top-20.
With the WTA Tour low on cash due to the lack of events on Chinese soil during the pandemic, and anxious to meet the requirements of a long-term “pathway” that calls for equal prize money for women at all tour-level events (not just the Slams) by 2033 (including WTA 1000-level events in 2027), the need to bolster attendance at all events will be an important step in the move to renegotiate current media contracts.
“The WTA 1000 level tournaments (increasing to a total of 10) include several transitioning to two weeks in length and, with that, larger draw sizes: Rome (2023), Madrid and Beijing (2024) and Cincinnati and Toronto/Montreal (2025), in addition to the existing Indian Wells and Miami competitions,” the WTA said in a statement in June. “The additional WTA 1000 events will be one-week events in Doha, Dubai and a yet-to-be-named event.
“New player entry rules will ensure a consistent presence of the top athletes at these premium events throughout the year. The increase in two-week WTA 1000 tournaments combined with the ATP demonstrates a clearer alignment across both tours.”
According to Swiatek and peers, those player entry rules will also make the tour less manageable for the top players who will be counted on to lend their starpower.
The pressure to play week after week can be difficult, and taxing, says Swiatek.
The 22-year-old Pole says that players were not consulted by the tour as it adapted its regulations and made the new calendar for 2024.
“We find out about them after the fact,” Swiatek says. “This causes frustration. Only a handful of players were aware of the calendar reform and the WTA cannot lead to such a situation again, since it considers itself an organization created for tennis players.”
Swiatek and her peers want some flexibility when it comes to avoiding burnout.
“I hope that we will be able to change something – for example in the rules regarding withdrawing from tournaments,” She continued.
Swiatak says it is important to have time to escape the tour’s hamster wheel during the season.
“Fortunately, I am in a situation where I can afford for my family to go on a trip with me, but not everyone can afford it. Many players rather save all their money to pay their coaches. However, there is a difference between taking your family with you and returning home, when you can wash your clothes and spend time in the place where you grew up. I often miss Warsaw.”