Tennis fans have mixed reactions to Iga Swiatek who says he doesn’t think the unusually high number of retirements at the Cincinnati Open is a ‘coincidence’ and rather it’s ‘a sign’ that the WTA and ATP players need to ‘hurry up’.
The Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio, saw an unusually high rate of players withdrawing from their matches due to injury. These include Holger Rune, Elena Rybakina, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Donna Vekic, Mackenzie McDonald, Dusan Lajovic, and Marie Bouzkova.
Speaking at a press conference earlier in the tournament, Swiatek suggested that this high rate was due to the players potentially overworking themselves in the face of the demanding WTA & ATP scheduling.
As well as previously speaking out against the scheduling of recent tournaments forcing players to stay up late or even play two matches on the same day, Swiatek also expressed his uncertainty about decision to extend the ATP and WTA 1000 tournaments for up to two weeks.
“I think it will be harder and harder. The tournaments, if they are longer, we will have less time between tournaments to recover. I think it will be more next year when all 1000 tournaments It’s been almost 2 weeks. So I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I think it’s a sign for the WTA and ATP that it’s easy for us,” he said.
However, the Polish player also acknowledged that there is a business aspect to consider and that players must ensure that there is responsibility for their well-being.
“On the other hand, there’s business that they have to take care of.. Our season is going to be long. I guess we have to be responsible and know when to rest and never push because it’s a race, it’s a long one it. We have to be smart and your team has to be smart to make the right decision,” he added.
Fans took to social media to express a divided reaction to Swiatek’s comments. Others agree with the 22-year-old.
“Need to change the tour. Injuries are piling up leading up to the US Open which is not good,” wrote one.
However, others said they don’t know why Swiatek is complaining, and that two-week tournaments are better for the players.
“I think they can plan the season very well and no one is forcing the players to participate in every master 1000. Why complain?” one commented.
“Wrong. 2 weeks is better, 1 day game/1 day off/1 week half the roaster gone/2 weeks half the roaster still there 1 day game/1 day off and replaced by women on the last Saturday/men on the last Sunday,” wrote another.
However, others defended Swiatek, with an essay:
“Don’t hate players for giving honest opinions unless you want meaningless cliches for answers.”
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