Iga Swiatek criticized the Madrid Open for their scheduling and she was supported by Australian coach Rennae Stubbs.
After losing in the final of the 2023 Madrid Open to Aryna Sabalenka, the world no. 1, Iga Swiatek took a chance to address the crowd, thank her team, but also comment on the tournament organization, particularly the scheduling which she didn't like.
In her fourth-round match at the WTA 1000 event in the Spanish capital, the Pole had to play until 1 AM against Ekaterina Alexandrova and she didn't like that, since also her following match ended well past midnight. During the trophy ceremony, Swiatek said:
"It's not fun to play at 1 AM though, so I'm happy anyway that I was able to get past this experience, and survive and be in the final, so thank you for your support and your energy."
The comment soon went viral but not just because of Swiatek's words but also the face of the tournament director Feliciano Lopez who was standing right behind the Pole. The image was soon shared on social media and in one of the threads where users argued that the scheduling was adequate to the event of this caliber, former coach of Serena Williams, Rennae Stubbs asked:
"Did Alcaraz play one match second at night?" The Australian was probably trying to suggest that the tournament organization may have favoured their own players, as another former player, Daniela Hantuchova suggested ahead of the men's final.
Based on one of Novak Djokovic's statements, the user suggested that it's broadcasters who choose which matches are scheduled when, but Stubbs didn't agree with that, claiming that it's the tournament director's job.
"TV does NOT decide, they request. The tournament director then works with the TV networks, the WTA & the ATP. They then decide based on many different factors."
When the user suggested that players should not criticize the tournament during the trophy ceremony according to rules, Stubbs argued that it's something that was done many times in the past without anyone facing any fines.
"Do u know how many players have said things that are not positive publicly about a tournament. This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last. I can assure u the WTA will NOT be fining Iga. Also, Novak may have said it but u repeated it and u know its not true."
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