Iga Swiatek makes ‘demanding’ comment after ATP injury farce in Madrid
Iga-Swiatek-Madrid
Iga Swiatek has admitted tennis is “more demanding” than ever after an injury-stricken final week of the Madrid Open.
While the women’s draw – which culminated in the world No 1 downing Aryna Sabalenka in a classic final – was largely unaffected by injury, the ATP event was decimated by physical issues.
Beaten finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime received a walkover from Jannik Sinner ahead of their projected quarter-final, while he saw round three opponent Jakub Mensik and semi-final opponent Jiri Lehecka retire due to injury.
Lehecka himself had progressed to the semi-final after quarter-final opponent Daniil Medvedev retired injured after dropping the opening set, while Carlos Alcaraz reaggravated an arm issue and – like Sinner and Lehecka – has withdrawn from the Italian Open.
Several have put the growing number of injuries down to the extended Masters and WTA 1000 format, with multiple events now spread over an almost fortnight-long schedule.
Madrid men’s singles champion Andrey Rublev and WTA world No 4 Elena Rybakina have led criticism of the scheduling, though Medvedev rebuffed any suggestion his injury was down to extended tournaments.
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When questioned in her pre-tournament presser about the scheduling controversy, Swiatek said the number of injuries could have been a “coincidence,” but did comment that players would now have to be more conscious about what tournaments they played.
She said: “Well, I think overall, sport is more demanding because we play faster. I mean, on the other hand, we’re really focused on getting our physicality better.
“Sometimes you have more prevention because of that. On the other hand, everybody is stronger. Everybody is moving a little bit better. It’s also harder to win matches.
“It’s hard for me to compare ATP tennis on clay and hard. I’m not that kind of specialist actually in terms of analyzing to know why they have injuries now. Maybe on the other hand it’s just a coincidence that it happened only [a] couple of days.
“I think overall the tour is getting more and more demanding because of the length of the tournaments and all these mandatory rules, both on ATP and WTA. We’ll see what it’s going to bring in the future.
“For sure scheduling-wise, the planning is going to be more important, sometimes even passing some tournaments that are important for you, for you to be ready for next one.”
Swiatek comes into Rome straight off the back of her Madrid triumph, which was a third title of the year for the Pole – with all three coming at WTA 1000 level.
The world No 1 had never won Madrid previously and victory means she has now won all the most prestigious titles on clay.
She won back-to-back titles in Rome in 2021 and 2022 and will be looking to regain her title this year, having retired injured in her quarter-final against Rybakina 12 months ago.