“Nothing to Complain About” – Former Grand Slam Champion Counters Iga Swiatek’s Critique of Demanding Tennis Calendar
Tennis, as a sport, can sometimes be very exhausting. The scheduling can sometimes take a huge toll on players and Iga Swiatek is one of the stars who has been very blunt on this subject. However, not everyone seems to agree with that. One of the legends of the game gave a stark reply to the statements made by the Polish pro. Garbine Muguruza, in a recent interview, addressed the ongoing debate around the demanding tennis schedule.
It could be a direct response to Iga Swiatek’s concerns. Swiatek, who has voiced frustration over the tightly packed calendar, said, “We don’t have time to work on stuff or live peacefully, because from one tournament we’re going straight to another.” She pointed out that the 2025 season will begin in the last week of December 2024, highlighting how little downtime players have.
Muguruza, a two-time Grand Slam champion, sees the situation differently. She believes top players have the freedom to manage their schedules and decide when to take a break. “There’s nothing to complain about. I think it’s great. You set your own schedule, you know your capabilities. Especially when you’re winning a lot of matches, you might think: I should take a break,” Muguruza explained. For her, the control lies in a player’s ability to assess their own workload and make choices accordingly.
Interestingly, Iga Swiatek last played at the US Open and has since been away from the courts. After a total of 59 days, she finally made her presence back to the courts at the WTA Finals. Muguruza’s perspective suggests that players need to take responsibility for their well-being, rather than depending on external changes to the schedule. Her statement contrasts with Swiatek’s concerns, reinforcing the idea that tennis’s elite players can manage their schedules to avoid burnout.
