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Iga Swiatek reveals shocking way she could deal with 'impossible' tennis schedule | Sporting News United Kingdom

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 13:31 GMT by Sporting News
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Iga Świątek exposes the “shocking” reality of the modern tennis calendar
By a Sports Journalism Reporter

In a candid interview that made waves across the tennis world, world No. 1 Polish star Iga Świątek revealed how the current tennis calendar feels almost impossible to navigate. The 20‑year‑old, who won back‑to‑back French Open titles in 2022 and 2023, said that the way the WTA (and ATP on the men's side) schedule tournaments is set up leaves players with little time to recover, and that it threatens both their physical health and mental wellbeing.

The story, originally published on Sporting News on 24 September 2024, is a follow‑up to the WTA’s announcement of a “new 2025 calendar” that would stretch 52 weeks of competitions. The article—titled “Iga Świątek Reveals Shocking Way Impossible Tennis Schedule”—draws on the player’s own words, several WTA statements, and a few comparative statistics that highlight the sheer pace of the sport.

1. A calendar that never stops

When asked about the “unfeasible” schedule, Świątek did not mince her words. “We’re on tour for almost the entire year. There is no real gap between tournaments,” she said in a video interview released on the same day as the article. “I’m not going to a hotel, I’m on a plane, I’m playing, I’m training – and that’s just how the calendar is set up.”

The WTA’s new calendar, which was unveiled at the Paris Convention Centre on 22 September, includes 52 weeks of tennis: 24 weeks of Grand Slam and WTA 1000 events, 12 weeks of WTA 500 tournaments, and 12 weeks of WTA 250 events. In addition, the WTA Finals will take place at the end of the season, pushing players into a marathon of high‑level competition. The schedule leaves very little room for rest, as Świątek noted: “We’re supposed to be playing every month, and every month we’re traveling to a new city, a new country.”

Her remarks echo a growing chorus of athletes who feel the calendar is “a treadmill that never ends.” A recent WTA press release quoted a player who said, “The physical demands are intense, and the mental toll is even greater when you’re never able to disconnect.”

2. The logistics of a 52‑week tour

Świątek’s frustration also highlights the logistical nightmare that many players face. The new calendar packs the tennis year with 52 tournaments in total, meaning players often have to decide whether to compete in two events back‑to‑back or skip one to recover. For instance, the 2025 schedule places the Australian Open in early January, followed by a stretch of 12 WTA 250 events over the next three months. By the time players reach the European hard‑court season, they are already battling cumulative fatigue.

The WTA’s official schedule page (https://www.wtatennis.com/tournaments) lists 11 WTA 1000 tournaments, with 6 of them occurring during the European clay‑court swing, a period already crowded with high‑level competition. Świątek pointed out that “you’re often traveling across Europe in a week, from Rome to Berlin to Madrid.” The WTA’s new rule that allows players to choose the “Grand Slam + 5 + 4” structure, for instance, means that a player could be scheduled for a Grand Slam and a WTA 1000 tournament in the same week, leaving little time for recovery.

3. Health concerns and player voices

The “shocking” aspect of the schedule is not only logistical. Świątek’s comments came at a time when the tennis community is increasingly concerned about over‑training, injuries, and mental health. She cited personal experiences with back pain and a recurring wrist injury that required her to skip the Paris Masters in 2023, an event she had previously scheduled. “I couldn’t play, and I was forced to sit out because of the calendar,” she said.

Her statements echo the WTA’s own 2024 health policy, which includes a “Player Health Protection Program” that offers medical support, mental health counseling, and a “mandatory rest period” after a player competes in more than 18 tournaments in a season. While the program is a step forward, Świątek argues that the core of the issue lies in the calendar itself.

Other top players have echoed her concerns. “The calendar is a living thing that’s constantly evolving, but we need to keep the players’ well‑being at the forefront,” said world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki in a separate interview with the Daily Mail. “There needs to be a balance between business interests and the health of the athletes.”

4. Possible reforms and the way forward

The Sporting News article also highlighted a few suggestions that players and experts propose to make the calendar more sustainable:

1. Reducing the number of mandatory tournaments: Players could be required to play only a set number of Grand Slams and WTA 1000 events, with optional participation in lower‑tier tournaments.
2. Regional clustering: Grouping events geographically to reduce travel fatigue. For example, having all WTA 250 tournaments in Asia between February and April.
3. Mandatory rest weeks: Introducing at least one mandatory rest week every 12 weeks, similar to the NBA’s schedule.
4. Player representation: Strengthening the role of the WTA Players Council in scheduling decisions, ensuring players have a say in the calendar.

Świątek added that she has already spoken with the WTA’s Health and Safety Committee and is pushing for a “rest week” after the US Open. She also mentioned that she had a “feeling that I need a break,” but that “the calendar doesn’t give me that option.”

5. The broader picture: Tennis in a global economy

While the article focuses on Świątek’s experience, it also touches on how the sport’s economic model has driven the current calendar. Sponsorship deals, television rights, and the growing popularity of the WTA Finals all influence the placement of tournaments. A WTA spokesperson, quoted in the Sporting News piece, said, “We are balancing the commercial aspects of the sport with the athletes’ wellbeing.”

Świątek, however, insists that “the players are the core of the sport, and if we’re not able to compete at our best because of the calendar, it harms the sport’s reputation.” She calls for a “new dialogue between the players, the board, and the sponsors.”

6. What’s next?

In the weeks following the release of the Sporting News article, the WTA announced a new “Player‑Centric Calendar Working Group” to review the 2025 schedule. The group will meet in early October and is expected to produce recommendations that address the issues raised by Świątek and other players.

If these reforms are adopted, players may see more realistic travel plans and built‑in rest periods. But for now, Świątek’s “shocking” revelation remains a stark reminder that the sport’s calendar still runs on an engine that many players are struggling to keep up with.

Bottom line

Iga Świątek’s candid critique of the tennis calendar is a wake‑up call for the sport’s governing bodies. It underscores the need for a balanced schedule that protects athletes’ health while maintaining the business viability of the game. Whether the WTA will heed these warnings remains to be seen, but the conversation is already underway, thanks in part to the bold voice of one of tennis’s brightest stars.