World No. 1 Iga Swiatek Slams WTA for Weak Leadership as Elena Rybakina Paid a Heavy Price for Canadian Open Debacle

There have been plenty of concerns regarding the tennis scheduling in tournaments in recent months. Mainly, nail-biting late finishes have not allowed players to recover in time for the next round. This pattern has been continuing for a while now and a few players have voiced their opinions on the situation. Recently, the World No. 1 Iga Swiatek joined in and slammed the idea of late scheduling.

The persisting issue regarding the scheduling came to light in the recently concluded Canadian Open. Elena Rybakina’s quarter-final clash against Daria Kasatkina went on till 3 in the morning. As a result, the Kazakh tennis player had very little recovery time for her next round, owing to the cruel scheduling.

Iga Swiatek slams the WTA scheduling

The scheduling often plays a crucial role in defining the outcome of the tournament. Poor scheduling and lack of recovery time lead to momentum destruction. Players are also often forced to play two matches a day which is not very feasible. When Swiatek was asked about her opinion on this matter, she did not hold back and slammed the WTA.

Swiatek said via Tennis.com, “We should focus more on what is healthy for players because we have to compete every week. The tour is so intense with travel and not actually having two days of calm and not working that it would be nice in the future to focus on players.”

Swiatek went on to signify the leadership issues in the WTA and hopes for a change in the system. She said that she wouldn’t entirely blame the tournament organizers as WTA is also partly. The four-time major champion minced no words. She called out the tour for poor top-level management skills and wished for a change in the near future.

READ MORE: ‘There’s Nothing Really Connecting Us’ – 22-year-old Iga Swiatek Brushes Aside Rising Big-3 Heat From The Media Alongside Aryna Sabalenka And Elena Rybakina

Swiatek wasn’t the only renowned figure to speak against the concerning scheduling. Serena Williams‘ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, had also voiced her opinion recently.

Serena Williams’ ex-coach lashes out at the WTA

The Montreal weather was made the scapegoat for the inconsiderate scheduling at the Canadian Open. However, Rennae Stubbs believes that rain is never a reason for the organizers to start a match after 11 PM.

She spoke in support of Elena Rybakina, who was forced to play till 3 AM and then drag herself back onto the court the next day. The scheduling not only ruins the momentum for the ongoing tournament but also for the upcoming one, since the professionals are otherwise expected to compete almost every week.

How do you think that the WTA  can handle the scheduling issues? Let us know in the comments.

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