Jim Courier Reveals Why Australian Open Ignored Iga Swiatek’s Scheduling Request: “She Didn’t Get What She Wanted”
Iga Swiatek will be locking horns with Elena Rybakina for the 12th time in her career.
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Jim Courier, Iga Swiatek (Image via X/Bastien Fachan, iga archive)
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Iga Swiatek is in the Australian Open quarterfinals. On Monday (January 26), she knocked out home favorite Maddison Inglis 6-0, 6-3 to book a spot in the last eight in Melbourne for the third time.
Swiatek wanted a day slot to play Inglis, but her request was turned down. On Tennis Channel, Jim Courier revealed why the tournament ignored the Pole’s request.
Scheduling is always a hot topic, and yesterday’s scheduling meeting went exceptionally long. There was a massive battle because Swiatek wanted a day match, and the Australian network desperately wanted to have an Australian playing in prime time, that’s what they pay the big money for. It was a long, drawn-out battle, I can tell you. It went to the wire, and eventually Channel Nine got what they wanted, what the tournament also wants, and Iga didn’t get what she wanted.
Jim Courier said
Before this match, the World No.2 had never faced an Australian opponent at the Australian Open. The six-time Grand Slam champion has improved her head-to-head record over Inglis to 2-0. In last year’s Australian Open, Swiatek suffered a three-set defeat at the hands of eventual champion Madison Keys in the semifinals. Swiatek has so far made two semifinals at Melbourne Park. She reached her career’s 14th Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Iga Swiatek will next face Elena Rybakina
Iga Swiatek has a huge challenge in front of her in the form of Elena Rybakina. The Kazakh ace eliminated Elise Mertens to schedule blockbuster quarterfinals clash with the 24-year-old.
Although Swiatek holds a 6-5 edge in the head-to-head matchups, Rybakina won their last meeting in the round-robin stage of last year’s WTA Finals. Also the 2022 Wimbledon champion won their only match at Melbourne Park back in 2023 (fourth round).
I wouldn’t say head-to-head matters. Because even when one of us was winning, it was always, I don’t know, a tight match or she beat me easy. Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t make sense to overanalyze who won the last ones or how it has been looking. Every match is a different story. Like on every match, she’s been a tough opponent, and her tennis for sure is great. I need to be 100% ready and go for it, and use my experience and also the knowledge from previous matches, and that’s it.
Iga Swiatek said at the press conference
While Swiatek has yet to reach the final in Melbourne, Rybakina played the title clash in 2023, losing to Aryna Sabalenka. If Swiatek lifts the title, she will complete the Career Grand Slam and become the third youngest woman to achieve this.
Swiatek is the winner of the 2022 US Open, four Roland Garros titles, and last year’s Wimbledon. In the grass-court Major, Swiatek ended her trophy drought by dismantling Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0.
Maddison Inglis on competing against Iga Swiatek
Inglis met a top-10 player for only the second time in her career. After receiving a bagel in the first set, she celebrated when she broke Swiatek in the second set.
She’s just a next-level player. I don’t think I’ve had a lot of experience playing those matches; you just feel that pressure from every ball from her. It’s just… ‘I’ve kind of got to do something here. I’ve got to really take my chances that I get because I’m not going to get too many.’
Maddison Inglis said at the press conference
Prior to her arrival in Melbourne, Swiatek lifted the United Cup title with other Polish players by defeating Switzerland. Swiatek lost her singles match to Belinda Bencic.
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