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Amid Raging Controversy, Iga Swiatek Takes a Different Stance on the Chaos Unfolding in Cancun -‘Doesn’t Really Matter’

Published 10/31/2023, 10:08 AM EDT

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via Reuters

In the world of professional tennis, having the right playing conditions is crucial for athletes. It helps showcase their skills and ensure their safety on the court. However, recent concerns about the court surface at the WTA Finals in Cancun have ignited complaining reactions from players, with some, like Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, expressing their frustrations while others, like Iga Swiatek, adopting a different perspective.

As the WTA Finals move ahead with the group stage matches in Cancun, players are facing a unique challenge: a court surface that is making it hard for the players to adapt. Along with that, getting limited time for practice came out to be another issue highlighted by several concerned participants. Polish tennis sensation Iga Swiatek, considering the situation, presented a unique approach that helped players and fans adapt to a different perspective.

Iga Swiatek’s unique perspective on inadequate playing conditions at WTA Finals

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In the middle of negative news surrounding the court conditions at the WTA Finals in Cancun, Iga Swiatek took her chance to come up with a refreshing perspective. Acknowledging the challenges but maintaining a spirit of togetherness. The Polish tennis sensation, along with fellow players Sabalenka, Rybakina, and Vondrousova, agreed upon the unfavorable nature of the court. But she also said words that added a layer of comfort to the players.

“Obviously, it’s not a positive thing for any of us,” Swiatek accepted, echoing the concerns of her co-players. Continuing to share her thoughts on the concern, she added, “Sometimes it bounces weirdly on clay and grass as well. I try to think in that perspective & just do my job. For sure, it’s not comfortable. The fact we also didn’t have time to practice on this court, you know. But at the end it doesn’t really matter because all of us have the same court & the same conditions.”

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In a tournament with such high competition, the current World No. 2’s response came out to be a binding factor for other players, as she highlighted the fact that everyone else in the competition will be exposed to the same conditions. While Iga’s comment somewhat brought comfort to the tour, her appeal to the fans requesting their presence in the arena made another highlight.

Swiatek appeals fans to show an increased presence at the WTA Finals

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Besides presenting a positive approach to the harsh playing conditions at the WTA finals, another issue that the Polish tennis sensation Iga Swiatek tackled in her own elegant way was the many empty seats in the arena. After winning her group stage match against Marketa Vondrousova, Iga turned towards the fans and mentioned, “I hope for the next matches we can make the stadium full, because there are many empty seats. Guys, please come and watch our game. We are giving 100% in every match.”

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This unique approach to dealing with hard playing situations and the lack of crowd cheers at the WTA Finals made Iga different from everyone else. As the tournament moves ahead to its upcoming rounds, Iga’s approach added a touch of support. Both to the authorities as well as the players, encouraging them to focus on the important goals and accept the situation.

Watch this story: Distressing Serena Williams Reality Leaves Gaping Void That’s Nearly Impossible to Fill for Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek

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Written by:

Akshay Kapoor

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Akshay Kapoor is a tennis writer at Essentially Sports. With a commendable experience of around 2 years in sports journalism under his belt, Akshay joined ES with the intention of taking the next step in honing his skills. Born into a family that practically breathes tennis, Akshay spent his early days huddled together with his loved ones, watching the electrifying rallies of the legendary Rafael Nadal.
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Edited by:

Abhishek Das