World No. 2 Swiatek Considers Skipping Mandatory Tennis Events Amid Packed Season

World number two tennis player Iga Swiatek has criticized the current tennis season as excessively long and intense, suggesting that she might have to skip mandatory tournaments for the sake of her health despite the WTA's strict participation rules. The tennis circuits, with their demanding 11-month seasons, have faced increasing scrutiny, especially during the "Asian swing," where multiple players, including Swiatek's opponents, retired or were unable to complete matches due to injuries. Swiatek highlighted that top players are required to compete in all four Grand Slams, ten WTA 1000, and six WTA 500 events, with penalties such as ranking point deductions and fines for missing these tournaments, making it nearly impossible to complete the schedule. She emphasized the need for players to prioritize their health over rigid adherence to these rules, calling the current situation "crazy" and unsustainable. The Professional Tennis Players’ Association has filed a lawsuit against the sport's governing bodies, citing disregard for player welfare, though the WTA dismissed the legal action as baseless and defended its efforts to develop women's tennis globally. Swiatek, however, remains committed to playing all mandatory events this season but acknowledged the difficulty of balancing health and competition demands.