In 2023, in Madrid, the world leader and runner-up also faced each other in the final. Just like now, Iga Świątek played the first round and Aryna Sabalenka played the second. The Belarusian broke the excellent series of the Pole who won the tournament in Stuttgart and was confidently heading towards another victory.
Continued article below the video
It’s time for the rematch between Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka
The first set was very even, and the Belarusian’s break and use of the set piece were defined in detail. The WTA rankings leader responded by winning three matches in a row, which paved the way for her to equalize in the second game. However, in the decider, the Belarusian was in the lead, winning 6:3, 3:6, 6:3.
— It’s a very nice city, although playing until one in the morning isn’t very fun. But I’m glad I overcame that and made it to the finals. Thank you for your support and energy, see you next year – said Ega Švetek after losing the final, referring to the previous rounds when she finished the matches at this time. We did not have to wait a moment for the tournament organizers to respond to the criticism directed at the competition schedule. Feliciano Lopez, the tournament director, was standing directly behind the pole, and his facial expression said it all.
He probably knew very well then that Šwientek’s words would cause a storm. And so it was. Fans commented on social media: “This is the most bizarre award ceremony I’ve ever seen.”
but this is not all. There were many voices in the comments that someone finally had to say these words and it is good that Iga Świątek decided to make this move. – She’s right. The schedule was terrible for both players and spectators, read more.
Iga Świątek finished her match with Ekaterina Alexandrova on the night of May 1-2, 2023 (6:4, 6:7, 6:3). Three days later it happened again. When the Polish woman beat Veronika Kodermytywa in impressive style and advanced to the final, the stands were empty.
All because the WTA Ranking Leader’s match started just before 23. When it ended, it was past midnight. The tennis players had to wait until the end of the competition between Jan-Lennard Struff and Stefanos Tsitsipas before the match began. This lasted over two and a half hours and meant that Iga Świątek had to play at night again.
Iga Świątek caused a storm
— This hour is difficult because we finished the game very late and we have to get up the next day. Before and during the game, it doesn’t matter much. “Later we have to adapt to that – she said after the semi-final, and after the match against Sabalenka she returned to the topic.
Iga Švetek’s words have once again sparked a storm, and it’s no surprise that sports websites from all over the world are carrying them. Tennisupdate wrote about the photo saying it all, referring to the faces of the tournament organisers. Tennisinfinity wrote that Świątek subtly mentioned an issue that organizers should raise.
It must be admitted that this year the organizers drew conclusions from the words of the top rankings, and such a situation did not happen to her again, but rather it happened to other stars. The semi-final match between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina ended shortly before midnight.
source:Onet Sports Review
Date of creation: 3 Bet 2024 13:40
Journalist for the newspaper Przeglad Sportuy One
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