Women’s world No. 2 Iga Świątek has become the latest top-ranked player to voice concerns over the WTA’s grueling schedule, following her surprising quarter-final loss to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva at the Dubai Tennis Championships. The Polish star, known for her dominance on the court, has joined a growing list of players warning about the physical and mental toll of the relentless tennis calendar.
A Tough Start to 2025
Świątek’s early exit in Dubai marked another setback in what has been a challenging start to the year for the WTA’s top players. Alongside Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, Świątek remains without a title in 2025. After her defeat to Andreeva, who became the youngest semi-finalist in the tournament’s history, Świątek didn’t mince words about the impact of the packed schedule.
“It’s a calendar thing,” Świątek said. “We’re not going to be able to be consistent for many years playing week by week.”
Top Players Struggling to Find Form
The WTA’s top three—Świątek, Gauff, and Sabalenka—have all faced difficulties maintaining their form this season. Gauff, after a quarter-final exit at the Australian Open, suffered early losses in both the Qatar Open and Dubai Open. Sabalenka, too, has struggled post-Melbourne, with early defeats to Ekaterina Alexandrova and Clara Tauson.
Świątek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, acknowledged the increasing competitiveness of the tour but pointed to the demanding schedule as a major factor. “It’s not like some time ago that outside of, like, top-20 players, they were just getting destroyed more,” she said. “Now anybody can win these tournaments. It has been like that for a couple of years. But I feel like the calendar is not helping.”
The Challenges of a Global Tour
The Pole highlighted the unique challenges of the tennis calendar, which requires players to constantly adapt to different continents, surfaces, and balls. “We need to switch continents, we need to switch surfaces, we need to switch the balls. It’s not easy. I’m not surprised,” Świątek added.
Sabalenka, who has also struggled in the Middle East, echoed similar sentiments. “Every time I don't feel well playing here, health-wise I'm struggling,” she admitted. “Australia always takes a lot of energy out of me. I believe that I'm not that hungry on court. I'm kind of like all over the place in my thoughts and not consistent.”
A Wider Trend of Struggles
The struggles extend beyond the top three, with other players in the WTA top 10 also facing difficulties. Jasmine Paolini has managed just four wins this year, while Jessica Pegula has only five. Emma Navarro, despite a strong run to the Australian Open quarter-finals, has won just two matches since.
Świątek’s concerns mirror those expressed by ATP stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev last year. Alcaraz, after an exhausting Olympic campaign and an early US Open exit, warned, “Probably they are going to kill us in some way.” Zverev was even more blunt, stating, “The ATP doesn’t care about our opinion—it’s a money business.”
Calls for Change
Świątek’s comments underscore the need for the WTA to reevaluate its calendar to protect players’ health and longevity. The increasing physical and mental demands of the tour have left many players feeling drained, raising concerns about the sustainability of the current schedule.
As one of the sport’s leading voices, Świątek’s critique adds significant weight to the ongoing debate. Her call for change highlights the urgent need for the WTA to prioritize player well-being over commercial interests.
Iga Świątek’s criticism of the WTA’s relentless schedule comes at a time when the sport’s top players are increasingly vocal about the toll it takes on their careers. With the Polish star joining the chorus of concerns, the WTA faces mounting pressure to address these issues and ensure a more sustainable future for the game. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the voices of players like Świątek cannot be ignored.
