Iga Swiatek gives updates on WTA talks after getting penalised and fearing being ‘hated’

Iga Swiatek has given an update on her talks with the WTA after warning them and fearing people would “hate” her for raising concerns.

The world No. 2 has been vocal about how demanding the calendar is for players, with 20 tournaments now mandatory for those ranked high enough to enter.

She was even penalised in the ranking for failing to enter enough required events and lost her spot at the top. But Swiatek now feels more positive about the “progress” in communication from the women’s tennis tour.

This year, the WTA made it mandatory for all eligible players to compete in the four Grand Slams, all 10 WTA 1000 events and six of the WTA 500 tournaments. Those who didn’t fulfil the requirements were penalised, receiving ‘zeroes’ on their ranking.

Swiatek was one of the players who was hit with a punishment. And she lost enough ranking points that it allowed Aryna Sabalenka to overtake her as the world No. 1.

The five-time Grand Slam champion had already voiced her concerns about the packed schedule earlier this year so it’s no surprise she didn’t play all 20 mandatory events.

“Obviously it’s not our decision but for sure, I think we have too many tournaments in the season,” she told Sky Sports during the Cincinnati Open. “It’s not going to end well and it makes tennis less fun for us, let’s just say.”

Worried about upsetting others with her comments, she added: “I don’t think it should be like that because we deserve to rest a little bit more. Obviously maybe people are going to hate me for that.”