Iga Swiatek is willing to evade WTA obligations and skip tournaments for her health amid packed annual schedules.
The 2025 women’s professional tour began in December and will end its 11-month run at the WTA Finals at the beginning of November.
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Swiatek is concerned with the scheduling across the tennis calendarCredit: Getty
Like the men’s ATP circuit, the events span from Grand Slams to other tournaments that award ranking points throughout the year.
However, there are increasing concerns over the amount of matches being played across the calendar, with Swiatek vocal in her criticism.
WTA rules state that top players must play the four Grand Slams, ten WTA 1000 and six WTA 500 events.
But Swiatek, who is into the China Open fourth round after Camila Osorio retired with injury, is concerned with the workload.
“I think people are more fatigued,” said the women’s world no. 2 and 2025 Wimbledon champion said to reporters via Reuters.
“Unfortunately, the Asian Swing is the hardest part because you feel like the season is going to finish soon, but you still need to push.
“I don’t know yet how my career is going to look like in a couple years.
“Maybe I will have to choose some tournaments and skip them, even though they are mandatory.
“The WTA, with these mandatory rules, they made this pretty crazy for us.”
Speaking on the WTA rules, the six-time Grand Slam winner added: “I don’t think any top player will actually be able to achieve this…
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Swiatek risks fines or ranking points penalties for missing tournamentsCredit: Getty
“It’s impossible to squeeze it in the schedule.
“We have to be smart about it, not really unfortunately care about the rules and think what’s healthy for us. It’s tough.”
How hectic is the tennis schedule?
Each Grand Slam tournament – the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open – lasts two weeks.
Therefore, around two months of the tennis calendar are taken up by just four separate events, although they are the most coveted.
The rest of both the men’s and women’s schedules are filled up with ATP or WTA tournaments that are played across all continents.
During this year’s ATP tour, there have been nine ATP 1000 events, 16 ATP 500 events and 30 ATP 250 events scheduled.
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Swiatek wants to protect her health amid the vast number of tournaments and eventsCredit: Getty
On the WTA tour, it’s ten WTA 1000 events, 17 WTA 500 events and 21 WTA 250 events.
Although some tournaments are played at the same time, there is little room for players to compete in all whilst adequately recovering.
For example, the 2026 ATP Tour will have a total of 59 tournaments played in 29 countries.
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