Despite Her Fantastic Win, Iga Swiatek Hit Hard by ‘Empty Seats’ at the WTA Finals as She Pleads Desperately With Fans

Published 10/31/2023, 6:29 AM EDT

Crowds have always been important in any sport. Similarly, in tennis, when players step onto the court, they’re not just playing for themselves; they’re also playing for the spectators. A full stadium with crowds cheering can energize the players and create an amazing atmosphere. But recently at the World Tour Finals in Cancun, something was missing. Many seats were empty, and with all the other players noticing, Iga Swiatek took her chance to open up about it.

As the WTA Finals are now advancing with its group stage rounds, providing fans with an exciting show of tough competition, the empty seats in the arena are making a negative impact on players. With women’s tennis gaining immense popularity in recent years, the players have now started to expect a similar response. Iga Swiatek’s recent appeal after her match reached directly to the fans, working to seek more attention.

Iga Swiatek appeals fans to show presence at the WTA Finals

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Current World No. 2 Iga Swiatek recently expressed her wish for more fans to come and watch the matches. Tennis tournaments, like the World Tour Finals, have never been just about the game; they are about the whole experience. The excitement in the crowd, the cheers, and the applause all add to the overall aura of the event. When seats remain empty, it can be a bit disheartening for the players, who are giving their level best to perform in every match. That’s why Swiatek’s call for fans to show up and support the players gained enough attention.

After winning her group stage match against Marketa Vondrousova, Polish tennis sensation Iga Swiatek appealed, “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.”

Her words, going straight to the fans from across the world, highlighted the importance of crowd support in making tournaments like the WTA Finals special and exciting for both players and fans.

Swiatek: "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". pic.twitter.com/t8rDokEUoc
— Relevant Tennis (@RelevantTennis) October 30, 2023

Besides Iga, many other players also came forward to present their responses towards the irrelevant playing conditions at the WTA Finals 2023.

WTA players unhappy with the World Tour Finals playing conditions

Besides Iga Swiatek’s heartwarming call to fans, several players have raised their concerns about the conditions they are facing at the Season’s final tour in Cancun. Among them, No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka recently expressed her dissatisfaction after her triumph at a match on Sunday.

She described the playing conditions as “another level of disrespect.”

Aryna Sabalenka says the court at WTA Finals is another level of disrespect from the WTA:
“Honestly, it’s another level of disrespect from the WTA for the players. Sometimes, I don’t even feel safe to move on this court. That’s not the level I expect from the WTA Finals. Thank… pic.twitter.com/Ca1IKJAzkw
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 30, 2023

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Swiatek’s opponent, Vondrousova, also had words to share. “The court is, honestly, very bad. … It’s very crazy.”

Iga Swiatek Explains Her ‘Red’ Choice at the WTA Finals

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The World Tour Finals, being a crucial event in the tennis world where the best players gather to compete for their final rankings of the year, doubled up the concern of these players. As the players raised their voices against the negative playing conditions, Iga’s comment lay on a positive side with its elegance. Reaching directly to the fans, the appeal will hopefully result in larger crowds and cheers in the arena.

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 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.

Edited by:

Rohan Karnad

Despite Her Fantastic Win, Iga Swiatek Hit Hard by ‘Empty Seats’ at the WTA Finals as She Pleads Desperately With Fans

Iga Swiatek appeals fans to show presence at the WTA Finals

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WTA players unhappy with the World Tour Finals playing conditions