In Fort Worth, Texas, the best tennis players in the world are currently competing at the WTA Finals 2022. What was supposed to be the final highlight of the season, however, is tantamount to a mourning event in terms of atmosphere, because spectators hardly ever get lost in the Dickies Arena. This disturbs, among other things, the world number one Iga Swiatek, who vented her anger about the empty seats after her match.
The eight best tennis players in the world in one place and hardly anyone is watching: empty grandstands shaped the image of the WTA finals in Fort Worth/Texas in the first few days.
Instead of full seats, the players in the 14,000-seat Dickies Arena only saw empty seats. An unworthy setting for one of the most important tennis events of the year. The world number one Iga Swiatek thinks so too.
“I hope that the hall will soon be filled with fans,” said the Pole after her opening win against Russian Daria Kasatkina. “I’m really looking forward to it because I like drawing energy from the crowd,” added the 21-year-old.
Swiatek is hoping for more atmosphere at the WTA finals
Swiatek later followed up in an interview with “Canal+”. She doesn’t want to criticize the organizers, but the atmosphere at the previous tournament in Guadalajara was simply better. “And now I hope that more spectators will come to our next games.”
However, the Pole doubts that this will be the case, because she is already looking forward to being able to attend the last tournament of the year on the European continent at some point. “I admit that I am waiting for the WTA Finals to return to Europe because the fans there can make for a really exciting show,” said Swiatek.
However, the 21-year-old will have to be patient until then, because the finals will not take place on European soil next year either. The provisional calendar of the WTA will then be held in China.