Iga Swiatek may still face a setback, despite winning her third title of the 2025 season at the Korea Open.
Swiatek made her Korea Open debut this year, beating Barbora Krejcikova, Sorana Cirstea and Maya Joint to reach the WTA 500 final.
The Pole was forced to come from a set down in the final against Ekaterina Alexandrova, with Swiatek now adding to her Wimbledon and Cincinnati Open titles.
Swiatek is now closing in on the world number one ranking, but a highly criticised tennis rule could come back to bite her.
Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty ImagesTennis fans slam WTA rule that could see Iga Swiatek hit with points deduction
Swiatek has played a busy schedule in 2025, with the Korea Open her 16th tournament from the season so far.
However, there is still a chance that Swiatek could be docked points from her ranking due to a WTA rule.
In the WTA rules, it states that all eligible players must compete in all four Grand Slams, all 10 mandatory WTA 1000 events, as well as six WTA 500 tournaments, despite only 18 of these tournaments being able to contribute towards their ranking.
Swiatek is scheduled to fulfil her duties in both Grand Slams and WTA 1000 tournaments, but she has only competed in four WTA 500 level events.
This means that via the rules, Swiatek is likely to be docked the points from her worst-performing tournament from the year, which would currently be the 65 points she gained at the Italian Open.
A similar thing happened to the six-time Grand Slam champion last year, causing Aryna Sabalenka to be overtaken by Swiatek as world number one.
Iga Swiatek’s Tournaments in 2025Ranking Points EarnedGrand SlamsAustralian Open780Roland Garros780Wimbledon2000US Open430Combined WTA 1000Indian Wells390Miami Open215Madrid Open390Italian Open65Canadian Open120Cincinnati Open1000Non-combined WTA 1000Qatar Open390Dubai Tennis Championships215China OpenTo be playedWuhan OpenTo be played WTA 500United Cup325Stuttgart Open108Bad Homburg Open325Korea Open500WTA FinalsTo be played
There are two more WTA 500 level events in the 2025 season, but Swiatek is not entered into the Ningbo Open and the entry list for the tournament in Tokyo is yet to be released.
When discussing the likelihood of Swiatek being deducted ranking points, tennis fans expressed their disapproval at the rule.
One person called the rule ‘draconian’ on X (formerly known as Twitter), “The fact that Iga has played this full of a schedule this year and is still short of the minimum tournament threshold as per WTA rules (you must play 6 WTA 500 tournaments apparently).” Draconian rules.”
The fact that Iga has played this full of a schedule this year and is still short of the minimum tournament threshold as per WTA rules (you must play 6 WTA500 tournaments apparently)
Draconian rules
— sage | iga swiatek wimbledon champ (@iguszkaburner) September 20, 2025
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Another social media user explained how challenging this rule is for players like Swiatek, who usually reach the latter stages of these WTA 500 tournaments.
“These rules are stupid. Unless you lose every 1st or 2nd round,then you can play these many tournaments.”
These rules are stupid. Unless you lose every 1st or 2nd round,then you can play these many tournaments
— Anna Zofia Niezgodzka (@Anna_Niezgodzka) September 20, 2025
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This sentiment was echoed by someone else, “For those players that lose in 1st or 2nd round its no issue, but those who play on to the finals it’s 2-3 times more. This rule is illogical.”
For those players that lose in 1st or 2nd round its no issue, but these who platvtonthe finals its 2-3x more. This rule is illogical
— J15715 (@J157151) September 21, 2025
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Another person called the rule ‘a complete joke’, “Six WTA 500 is a complete joke. Should be up to players how many they chose to play and it will be reflected in their allocated points in the “best other” section.”
6 WTA 500 is a complete joke. Should be up to players how many they chose to play and it will be reflect in their allocated points in the “best other” section.
— Barry Fleming (@BarryJFleming) September 20, 2025
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Could Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff also be impacted by this rule?
While Swiatek has been the centre of this conversation surrounding the potential docking of ranking points, she has played more WTA 500 level tournaments than both of her closest rivals.
Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have only played three WTA 500 events this year and are not entered into the Ningbo Open either.
However, this is unlikely to have a big impact on either of their rankings, as they will probably only lose 10 points from their rankings.
Aryna SabalenkaCoco GauffNumber of WTA 500 events played in 202533Current ranking points that would be docked10 (Qatar Open)10 (Dubai Tennis Championships/Qatar Open)
Swiatek and Gauff are both set to be in Beijing next week, while Sabalenka has withdrawn from the China Open.
After winning her 25th career title, Swiatek has closed the gap with world number one Sabalenka to 2,792 points.