The world number one Iga Swiatek has called on the tennis associations to agree on their decisions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian professionals in tournaments.
“The situation is getting more and more chaotic, I would say,” said the 20-year-old Pole in Madrid on Wednesday. She had previously canceled her participation in the tournament in the Spanish capital due to a shoulder injury.
“I have the feeling that people expect us players to make the decision, but it’s quite difficult for us to make a decision because we know these people,” explained Swiatek: “We spend so much time on the tour that it feels like we’re family.”
The organizers of the women’s tour, the WTA, and their counterpart in the men’s, the ATP, criticized the decision of the Wimbledon organizers not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes at the lawn highlight at the end of June / beginning of July. Swiatek gave no indication of their position. However, she has supported Ukraine since the beginning of the war and wore a bow in the country’s colors at her games.
This year, Swiatek triumphed at the tournaments in Qatar, Indian Wells, Miami and Stuttgart. Her successes saw her take the lead in the WTA rankings after Australian Ashleigh Barty retired. She is also considered the favorite for the French Open (from May 22), which she won in 2020.
