{"id":75669,"date":"2025-08-18T15:03:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T15:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/75669\/"},"modified":"2025-08-18T15:03:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T15:03:11","slug":"serena-williams-former-coach-explains-why-complaints-about-iga-swiateks-cincinnati-open-schedule-are-petty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/75669\/","title":{"rendered":"Serena Williams\u2019 former coach explains why complaints about Iga Swiatek\u2019s Cincinnati Open schedule are \u2018petty\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Iga Swiatek\u2019s road to the Cincinnati Open final has been a relatively straightforward one; however, she was pushed to her limits in the first set of her semi-final against Elena Rybakina.<\/p>\n

After all, the 26-year-old came out firing, serving with relentless efficiency which left the third seed helpless.<\/p>\n

There was nothing she could do to stop such supreme form, and yet when it came for Rybakina to serve out the first set, she inexplicably faltered.<\/p>\n

Upon allowing Iga Swiatek<\/a> back in, she would go on to win every following game in that set before then winning the second 6-3.<\/p>\n

It was a mesmeric performance that deserves so much credit, and yet for whatever reason, people are continuing to take issue with something completely out of the 24-year-old\u2019s control.<\/p>\n

Why are people complaining about Iga Swiatek\u2019s Cincinnati Open schedule?<\/p>\n

Throughout her Cincinnati Open<\/a> run, there have been murmurs of discontent about Swiatek\u2019s schedule.<\/p>\n

However, only when Anna Kalinskaya voiced those opinions has the intensity of the scrutiny increased, which has actually provoked one high-profile figure to rush to her defence.<\/p>\n

\"IgaPhoto by Robert Prange\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Rick Macci has been a fierce supporter of the five-time Grand Slam champion for some time now, as a man who certainly knows talent when he sees it.<\/p>\n

He is most renowned for his work in the formative development of both Serena and Venus Williams, and branded those who would question Swiatek\u2019s schedule as \u2018petty\u2019 on X.<\/p>\n

Kalinskaya had previously written on Instagram: \u201cHow can the WTA and tournament expect athletes to perform their best when the scheduling is this unfair?<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter my match against Alexandrova, I got home from the site at 2:40am and didn\u2019t go to bed until 4am. I slept a bit and came to the site to practice.<\/p>\n

Coaches players commentators saying it is unfair because the Punisher was more used to the 90 degree heat because of scheduling. That is a whole different petty level of complaining just like waiting when it is raining. No excuses. Greatness is mentally molded and understands\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Rick Macci (@RickMacci) August 18, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I get scheduled at 11am for tomorrow\u2019s match \u2013 how does the tournament and WTA expect me to recover and continuously adjust my sleep pattern, which is one of the most important aspects of recovery?<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems a bit one-sided.\u201d<\/p>\n

Iga Swiatek has stormed through the Cincinnati Open draw<\/p>\n

Given how dominant Swiatek has been on clay over the last few years, before then struggling on the grass and in North America, it\u2019s odd how that narrative has completely flipped this year.<\/p>\n

After all, the former world number one dominated at Wimbledon and has exhibited a similarly high level at the Cincinnati Open too, having yet to drop a set.<\/p>\n

Rybakina did pose a huge threat, but even she was powerless to the relentless and unflinching quality of Swiatek.<\/p>\n

\"IgaPhoto by Robert Prange\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Jasmine Paolini has revealed how she\u2019s feeling about facing Swiatek<\/a> in the final, where she will be the overwhelming underdog.<\/p>\n

However, the Polish superstar has thrived in plenty of tournaments where the expectation has been massive. This will likely be no different.<\/p>\n