What are WTA Tour ‘mandatory’ events – and how has Iga Swiatek fallen foul of strict rules?

The role of WTA Tour ‘mandatory’ events is again under the spotlight after a controversial rankings move on Monday.

Iga Swiatek has lost 120 ranking points under WTA rules and, as a result, has lost her WTA world No 1 ranking to chief rival Aryna Sabalenka.

We look at what events are mandatory, how Swiatek broke the rules – and why the Pole may well feel aggrieved by the situation.

What events are mandatory?

Currently, WTA stars are expected to play potentially 21 events a season.

This starts with the highest level of tournament – the Grand Slams. Every player is expected to play at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

The majors are then followed by the 10 WTA 1000-level events on tour, with players ranked high enough expected to enter into all of those tournaments.

This means that WTA stars are expected to play back-to-back one-week events in Doha and Dubai in February, before heading to the US for two-week-long events in Indian Wells and Miami.

Those are followed by two-week-long events in Madrid and Rome during the clay swing, and then hard-court summer events in Canada and Cincinnati – which will become two-week events from 2025.

The final two WTA 1000 events are held towards the end of the season, in Beijing and Wuhan.

Outside of those 14 high-level tournaments, top players are then expected to play in a further six WTA 500-level tournaments.

There are plenty of options for players when picking and choosing what WTA 500 events they could play; the United Cup, though not an individual tournament, counts as one of a player’s six events.

High-profile tournaments such as Stuttgart, Brisbane, Washington D.C, and Tokyo – which is taking place this week – are also all at that level.