Iga Swiatek, the Polish tennis player, recently discussed the demanding schedule of the tennis tour that makes it difficult for players to consistently perform at their best week after week. Despite the lack of time for rest, Swiatek is now preparing for the Italian Open, an event she won in both 2021 and 2022. This tournament in Rome is the fourth Masters tournament since the beginning of March and precedes the French Open at Roland-Garros. Players are contractually obligated to compete in the Masters 1000 Series if they meet the entry requirements, but Swiatek questions whether the calendar is conducive to optimal tennis performance.
Swiatek emphasized the increasing demands of the tennis tour due to the length of tournaments and the mandatory rules imposed by both the ATP and WTA. She believes that scheduling is crucial in order to be prepared for upcoming tournaments, sometimes requiring players to skip events that are important to them in order to ensure they are ready for the next one. Despite winning tournaments, Swiatek finds it difficult to savor the victories as she quickly moves on to the next event without proper time for rest. She highlighted the importance of using any available days off between tournaments as opportunities to relax and recharge.
As the top seed in the Italian Open, Swiatek had a couple of days to prepare following her success at the Madrid Open. Due to her ranking, she received a bye in the first round and will face either Caroline Dolehide or a qualifier in the second round. Swiatek will not face players like Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina until the final, as they are on the opposite side of the draw. However, she could potentially meet Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, in the semi-finals, whom she defeated in the 2022 French Open final on clay. Swiatek expressed her excitement about competing in Italy and acknowledged the challenges of adapting to a new tournament environment.
In preparation for the Italian Open, Swiatek relished the opportunity to practice and adjust to the conditions in Rome. She expressed her love for the venue and enjoyed spending time exploring and trying new foods. Despite the challenges posed by the demanding schedule, Swiatek maintained a positive attitude and viewed the difficulties as a welcome challenge. As a top player on the tour, Swiatek strives to navigate the rigorous schedule and make the most of her time between tournaments to ensure she is physically and mentally prepared for each competition. She is committed to giving her best performance while also finding ways to balance the demands of the tour with the need for rest and recovery.
