Swiatek Backs Rybakina, Wants WTA Protection Against Late-Night Finishes

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday August 15, 2023

After Elena Rybakina aired out her frustration about a 3AM finish on Friday night in Montreal, assist has come from World No.1 Iga Swiatek.

The Pole is aware of a factor or two about taking part in matches that finish after midnight, she burnt her share of midnight oil this spring in Madrid and Rome, and he or she says she’d wish to see the tour do a greater job of defending the gamers in such conditions.

“Possibly we should always focus extra on what’s wholesome for gamers as a result of we now have to compete each week,” Swiatek stated throughout media hour at Cincinnati on Monday, according to David Kane of Tennis.com. “The tour is so intense with journey and never truly having two days of calm and never working that it could be good sooner or later to concentrate on gamers, particularly subsequent yr when there will likely be increasingly more necessary tournaments and longer tournaments.”

Swiatek, because the tour’s marquee participant, feels the brunt of the scheduling greater than others. She informed reporters that she performed 4 matches throughout Rome and Madrid that both completed near or after midnight.

It was robust to cope with for the 21-year-old.

“I used to be at all times scheduled for the second match of the evening session,” she stated. “It’s fairly laborious to deal with it when it’s a must to play in the midst of the evening for a few weeks.

“And It’s not like we’re ending and going to sleep after two hours. For me, I’m pleased if I fall asleep 4 hours after I end. I’ve nearly one hour of therapy, clearly media, I’ve to stretch after the match, meals, after which getting the adrenaline down isn’t straightforward as nicely. I want it may change, that’s all.”

Rybakina is determined to see change as nicely. She did not appear assured that she’d have the ability to get well in time to carry out at her greatest in Cincinnati this week, not to mention the day after her marathon in Montreal.

“I really feel destroyed simply due to the scheduling and the entire state of affairs,” she stated. “I am not likely pleased about it, however yeah, it’s what it’s. Sadly, gamers can’t do a lot in these conditions. The choice isn’t actually ours.”