Home
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek has sounded the alarm for the WTA, addressing the recent on-court struggles of herself, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka. Despite their top rankings—Sabalenka at No. 1, Swiatek at No. 2, and Gauff at No. 3—the trio has faced unexpected setbacks this season. Sabalenka failed to defend her Australian Open title, Coco Gauff fell in the quarterfinals, and Swiatek was ousted in the semifinals.
The struggles continued in the Middle East, with early exits in Doha and Dubai. Amid this turbulence, Swiatek has pinpointed a critical issue plaguing the tour.
Iga Swiatek’s warning: “The Calendar Is Not Helping”
Iga Swiatek didn’t hold back when asked about the recent dip in form among the WTA’s elite. She attributed the inconsistency to the grueling schedule and constant changes in conditions.
“It’s a calendar thing. Like, we’re not going to be able to be consistent for many years playing week by week,” she explained. “Also, it’s not like some time ago that outside of, like, top-20 players, they were just getting destroyed more. Now anybody can win these tournaments. It has been like that for a couple of years.”
The Polish star highlighted the challenges of switching continents, surfaces, and even tennis balls in quick succession.
“We need to switch continents, we need to switch surfaces, we need to switch the balls. Yeah, it’s not easy. I’m not surprised,” she added.
A Season of Upsets and Unpredictability
The struggles aren’t limited to the top three. Players like Jasmine Paolini, Jessica Pegula, and Qinwen Zheng have also faced early exits and inconsistent performances. Aryna Sabalenka, in particular, has voiced her frustrations, citing health and mental fatigue after the Australian Open.
“I believe we need to change something in the preparation,” she said. “Every time I don’t feel well playing here, health-wise I’m struggling. Australia always takes a lot of energy out of me.”
Gauff, too, has faced setbacks, with first-round losses in both Doha and Dubai. Swiatek, despite reaching deeper stages in tournaments, has suffered surprising defeats to lower-ranked opponents, including a shocking loss to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva in Dubai.
What Lies Ahead?
As the hard-court season winds down, the focus shifts to Indian Wells, Miami, and the upcoming clay season. Iga Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion, will aim to regain her dominance on her favorite surface. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will look to reset and rebuild their momentum.
Swiatek’s warning serves as a wake-up call for the WTA. If the tour hopes to maintain its star power and competitive edge, addressing scheduling challenges may be the first step toward a solution.
