Iga Swiatek wants to follow Novak Djokovic’s pick-and-choose strategy to manage her schedule
Iga Swiatek said that in the future, she may skip several tournaments to focus only on the Grand Slam events to prolong her career.
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Iga Swiatek, Novak Djokovic (Images via X)
Iga Swiatek is all set to defend her WTA Finals crown. Ahead of her first group stage match, she revealed Novak Djokovic is a great example of how players can prolong their careers.
The match against reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova was Swiatek’s first match on the tour since her quarterfinal defeat at the US Open in September. Swiatek was asked about making short-term sacrifices to prioritize her long-term goals.
The Pole said in the future, she may end up skipping some tournaments to focus on Grand Slam events as she wants to have a long career while balancing everything just like Djokovic. The Serb has skipped several tournaments and focused only on majors and the Paris Olympics this season.
Djokovic recently withdrew from the Paris Masters, while his participation in the ATP Finals in Turin is also uncertain.
You can see the most experienced players on tour, they are a bit older, skipping some tournaments, but actually being able to play their best games on Grand Slams, the biggest events that they really care about. I think like Novak Djokovic, for example, is a great example of that. We can learn from people like that.
Iga Swiatek said at the press conference
Swiatek skipped the Asian swing, during which she parted ways with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and hired Wim Fissette. The Belgian has previously coached Grand Slam champions, including Kim Clijsters and Naomi Osaka. In her absence, Aryna Sabalenka dethroned her as the World No. 1.
Iga Swiatek gives an update on the talk with WTA after complaining about the schedule
Iga Swiatek has been vocal about the hectic WTA schedule and the 20 mandatory tournaments. This season, players who did not participate in the mandatory events were penalized, and Swiatek was one such player.
The WTA made it mandatory for the players to participate in the four Grand Slam events, 10 WTA 1000, and six WTA 500 events.
Yeah, some things have been decided already in terms of the calendar and mandatory tournaments. It’s something that we kind of can’t take back because this is business, this is our contract, this is money. For sure, it’s not going to be easy.
Iga Swiatek said at the press conference
After Barbora Krejcikova, the 23-year-old will be locking horns with Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. Swiatek entered the tournament as the defending champion as last year, she defeated Pegula to win her first WTA Finals trophy.
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Gouri Das
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