‘It makes me sad’ – Iga Swiatek criticises ‘not safe’ tennis schedule, pulls out of Billie Jean King Cup

Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the Billie Jean King Cup and lamented a schedule on the women’s tennis tour that she says is “not safe” for the players.

The 21-year-old told her fans that she was “very sorry”, “disappointed” and “sad” to have to pull out of the competition, where she had been hoping to represent Poland once more.

But the world No. 1 explained in a statement posted to her Instagram account that she would not be able to participate due to the condensed tennis schedule as she cited the failure of the WTA and ITF to “come to an agreement on something as basic as the calendar of tournaments”.

“And it makes me sad. I’m very sorry because I play for Poland whenever it is possible and I always give it my best.

“Playing in Poland this year was an honour and I hoped to do this again at the end of the season.

“I’m disappointed that tennis governing bodies did not come to an agreement on something as basic as the calendar of tournaments, giving us only one day to travel through the globe and changing the time zone.

“This situation is not safe for our health and could cause injury. I’m going to talk to the WTA and ITF in order to change something.

“This situation is difficult not only for the players like me but mainly for the tennis fans that support our sport.”

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