'The schedule is crazy': Iga Swiatek slams 11-month season as she targets China Open run

Iga Swiatek has once again criticized the WTA calendar—a point she has previously stressed—joining continuous critiques made by players like Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula, especially regarding two-week WTA 1000 tournaments, a high number of mandatory events, and few free weeks on the schedule.

The Pole is the player with the most matches this season, totaling 72 matches so far (59-13), and securing three titles: Wimbledon, the Cincinnati Open, and the Korea Open—the latter just last week. Swiatek acknowledged that the schedule is simply too hectic with the season spanning 11 months.

Consulted regarding player injuries, the six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek responded to press questions about the high number of matches she has accumulated this season—in addition to the commitments remaining in the year: "I think we play too much, and the schedule is crazy," the Polish star said. "I try to divide the year into each part of the season and focus on what’s coming up, otherwise, it’s difficult.”

The World No. 2 is already installed in the third round of the China Open, after debuting with a convincing victory over Yue Yuan 6-0, 6-3. The Pole will face Colombia's Camila Osorio on the main stadium in pursuit of the quarterfinals.

Swiatek is aiming for another deep run, and as the first seed, she is the main favorite for the title. Against Osorio, it will be her 73rd match of the season, and if she reaches the final in the China Open, she will accumulate 77 matches. She still has another WTA 1000 in Wuhan (up to 6 matches) and the WTA Finals—where she is guaranteed three round-robin matches, with a maximum of five if she reaches the final.

This means that in the case of a perfect run for the rest of the season, she could reach up to 88 matches, and even with early exits, she could easily surpass 80 matches by the end of the year.

“After a four-week preseason and eight-day vacation, if I look at the end of December and see what awaits me over the next 11 months, it’s overwhelming. It’s best to take it step by step because the schedule is demanding and difficult."

Swiatek blasts 'crazy' WTA schedule amidst run of 72 matches

In the third round, Swiatek will face the 23-year-old World No. 83 Camila Osorio, who comes from overcoming Ann Li (7-5, 6-7, 7-5) and 28th seed Anna Kalinskaya (6-1, 4-6, 6-4). Swiatek and Osorio have only one previous meeting, at the 2023 Australian Open second round, with the European winning 6-2, 6-3.

Swiatek has been impeccable in recent months, reaching the final in four of her last six tournaments—including three titles and a 16-2 record since returning to hardcourts (titles in Cincinnati and Korea). The 24-year-old still has a live chance to catch Aryna Sabalenka for the top ranking before the year ends, and her campaign in Beijing will be key—especially considering Sabalenka is absent this week, having opted to take a break after long campaigns in North America.