‘Disappointed’ Swiatek pulls out of BJK Cup, hits out at governing bodies’ packed calendar

The world No 1 has said that travelling through the globe and changing time zones with one day between two big events is not safe for players’ health

Iga Swiatek at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 Image Credit: AI/ Reuters/ Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

October 3, 2022

World No 1 Iga Swiatek has pulled out of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in November, lashing out at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and WTA Tour for not being able to come to a decision on a more suitable calendar.

The season-ending WTA Finals, held in Texas, United States this year, begins on October 31 and ends on November 7 while the Billie Jean King Cup begins the next day on November 8 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Swiatek made her decision public in a post on social media, saying, “I will not be able to play at the Billie Jean King Cup in Glasgow. And it makes me sad. I’m very sorry, because I play for Poland whenever it’s possible and I always give it my best.”

Swiatek : “Not safe”

In the statement, Swiatek also criticised the WTA Tour and the ITF for not being able to “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. The situation is not safe for out health and could cause injury.”

The Pole added in her note that she would talk to the two bodies in order to make some changes on this issue.

World number one Iga Swiatek will miss the 2022 BJK Cup Finals and has things to say about the scheduling, with the event being held again very close to the WTA Finals in a different part of the world. pic.twitter.com/JeY9q7jDB2
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 3, 2022

Poland is one of the 12 nations who have qualified for the BJK Cup. Swiatek has a 9-3 record while playing for Poland (7-2 in singles), including winning both her matches this year.

Swiatek will be back on courts for the first time since her US Open triumph this week as she plays in Ostrava and is also on the entry list for the San Diego event next week.