Iga Świątek received criticism from the tournament officials at the Dubai Tennis Championships for withdrawing from the WTA 1000 tournament in February. The Pole has now responded to calls for her and Aryna Sabalenka to be docked points for their late withdrawals.
Iga Świątek Defends Dubai Withdrawal, Rubbishes Calls For Harsh Penalties
During the French Open media day on Friday, Świątek was asked about the comments of Dubai Tennis Championships tournament director Salah Tahlak from February. He had called for the players, especially Świątek and Sabalenka, to receive “harsher punishment” and be docked ranking points. Sabalenka condemned the view and threatened boycott.
The world No. 3, meanwhile, branded those comments as “ridiculous” and said that players aren’t “slaves” who should have to play through injuries at tournaments.
“I heard about the complaints but I didn’t hear about the penalty, probably because it’s a bit ridiculous. We have a right to withdraw any time we want. I don’t see the problem.”
“If we are not fit or we don’t feel like this is the right time for us to play a tournament. Are we slaves? We are allowed to decide, so I don’t see the problem. We get a zero in the ranking. That’s a punishment,” she said during her French Open pre-tournament press conference.
Świątek played at the Qatar Open right after the Australian Open, but missed the Dubai tournament in the week that followed. The 24-year-old gave a “change in schedule” as her official reason for her withdrawal, but did not specify any injury. She was a regular entrant at the Dubai Tennis Championships prior to this year and also reached the final in 2023.
Meanwhile, Świątek is currently preparing for the start of the French Open. The four-time French Open champion will begin her campaign at the second Grand Slam of the year against Emerson Jones on Monday.
After a difficult start to the season, she goes into the French Open full of confidence after finding her groove at the Italian Open.
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Świątek made the semifinals at the Italian Open, showing encouraging signs that her partnership with new coach Francisco Roig is bearing fruit.
It will be interesting to see whether the Pole can translate her strong run in Rome into yet another dominant showing at Roland Garros. Based on the draw, it appears that Świątek will have to overcome several top players in order to win her seventh Grand Slam title.
