“It’s getting more crazy every year,” Iga Swiatek opens up about tennis’ congested calendar
Iga Swiatek has stated that the lack of holidays and the congested nature of the calendar have made tennis a difficult sport.
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Iga Swiatek (Image via Imago)
Iga Swiatek has admitted that the professional tennis calendar is scary because of its rapid surface changes and ruthless scheduling. The World No. 1 is competing at the Cincinnati Open, her first hard court event since the Miami Open in March.
Since June, Swiatek has adjusted to three different surfaces. She has moved from the clay season to grass, back to clay for the Paris Olympics, and is now playing on the hard courts in Cincinnati. However, she has been the most consistent player this season with five titles. She only failed to win a title on grass this year.
Swaitek was in tears at the Paris Olympics as she had to settle for a bronze medal. She was the favorite to claim gold but lost to China’s Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals. In her first match at the Cincinnati Open, she battled hard to beat French Varvara Gracheva 6-0, 6(8)-7, 6-2 to reach the third round.
The Pole has revealed that the lack of holidays and congested tennis schedule has made tennis a tough sport.
There are sports that are really tough because, physically, you might get beat up. Most sports have four months off, sometimes even six. Our schedule is crazy, and it’s getting more crazy every year, which is scary. You just have to train wisely.Iga Swiatek told press in Cincinnati
Professional players sometimes play up to 80 matches a year and, on several occasions, sustain injuries in the process. Ons Jabeur is the latest player to sustain an injury that might see her miss the US Open which begins on August 26. The Tunisian last played in the second round of the Canadian Open, losing in straight sets to Naomi Osaka.
Iga Swiatek’s chances of claiming her third hard court title at Cincinnati Open increase after Coco Gauff’s exit
Iga Swiatek will be hoping for an injury-free display at the Cincinnati Open. She has won two hard court titles this season and will be hoping to add a third this week.
She reached the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open in 2023 losing to eventual champion Coco Gauff in three sets. The American won’t be a threat to her this year as she lost to Yulia Putintseva in the Round of 32.
Swiatek is set to face Marta Kostyuk in the third round in Cincinnati. Gauff’s exit has made the Pole the title favorite and she will be hoping to go all the way and get some momentum before heading to the US Open.
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Victor Okechukwu
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