Swiatek: "The WTA has made this a madness with all these mandatory rules"

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 29 Sep 2025 | 22.28

Iga Swiatek at the WTA Beijing 2025. Photo: Getty

Streaming French Open Women live tennis

🎾 Camila Osorio vs Ekaterina Alexandrova

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

The issue of the calendar demands has been a topic of debate in the circuit for a long time, although it is true that Iga Swiatek has been at the forefront of this 'battle' with the organizations in recent years. As usual, the Polish player has been very firm in her latest statements to the WTA, all after reaching the round of 16 of the WTA Beijing 2025.

The world number two stated in a press conference that the only viable solution she sees at the moment is to decide to skip certain tournaments on the calendar despite them being mandatory, which could lead to a financial penalty or loss of points, while also confessing the goal she had when embarking on the Asian tour.

"I feel sorry for Camila because she always gives her all. She told me she got injured at the beginning of the match. It's always quite sad to see that because we just want to compete. She couldn't, but overall, apart from that, I feel like I played well in the first set and really used my game to push Camila to her limits."

Do you set goals with your team at this stage of the season?

"We are taking it step by step because when I arrived in Seoul, I didn't train much after the foot problem following the US Open. We wanted to adapt to the new conditions and a much slower court. It doesn't make sense to set specific goals when you still feel the need to concentrate, get into the match. That was the goal in Seoul. We came here with only two days of practice to get familiar with the court. I know how to play on slower surfaces, footwork is key, I have to seize the right opportunities to step in and play more aggressively.

Since we are going from one place to another and there isn't much time for training, the goal is always to adapt initially. Maybe towards the latter stages of the tournament, we can see what works and what doesn't. Every place is different. We don't sit around saying, 'We should win this, this, this, this, this,' because that's not my style," stated Iga Swiatek.

The adjustment time according to the surface

"Before playing on grass, I need three more days than on clay. Sometimes, even when starting a tournament, you have to learn during the match. There are some tactics you've been using for the last two months but that may not work on these courts. It varies. As for getting the rhythm naturally, maybe I need eight hours on the court. Regarding tactics, I guess it depends on how sharp you are and your concentration."

What is the cause of so many retirements?

"People are more tired in this second part of the season. Unfortunately, the Asian tour is the most challenging part because you feel the season is ending soon, but you still need to make an effort. I don't know yet how my career will be in a couple of years. Perhaps I'll have to choose some tournaments and skip them, even if they are mandatory. The WTA has made this a madness with all these mandatory rules.

It's impossible to fit everything in the calendar. I don't think any elite player can manage it. We have to be smart, not worry too much about the rules and just think about what is healthy for us. It's tough. All I can do now, after deciding I will play all these mandatory tournaments, is take care of my body and recovery. I have a good team around me helping with that, I have enough experience to know what to do. There are many injuries, and that's because the season is too long and intense."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Swiatek: "La WTA ha hecho que esto sea una locura con todas las reglas obligatorias"