As Iga Swiatek prepares to defend her WTA Finals title, the Polish star is already looking ahead, revealing her intention to reshape her schedule in future seasons by focusing primarily on Grand Slam events. Inspired by Novak Djokovic’s selective approach, Swiatek explained that she may skip certain tournaments to preserve her physical and mental well-being, a strategy she believes could help her build a long and successful career.
Swiatek’s first-round match in the WTA Finals against reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova marked her return to competition since a quarterfinal loss at the US Open in September. In an interview before her WTA Finals opener, Swiatek acknowledged the sacrifices necessary to prioritize longevity. “Novak Djokovic is a great example of how players can prolong their careers,” Swiatek said, hinting at a future where she may prioritize Slams over smaller tournaments.
The shift toward a more selective schedule mirrors Djokovic’s approach. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has significantly reduced his appearances at non-major events, opting out of numerous ATP tournaments this season to focus on Grand Slams and the Olympics. Djokovic recently withdrew from the Paris Masters, and his participation in the upcoming ATP Finals in Turin remains uncertain. Swiatek’s admiration for his strategy reflects her ambition to follow a similar path, prioritizing major titles and longevity over the rigorous demands of the tour.
Swiatek’s thoughts on the relentless WTA schedule are well-documented. The 23-year-old has openly criticized the packed calendar, especially its 20 mandatory tournaments, which include four Grand Slams, ten WTA 1000 events, and six WTA 500 events. This season, she opted out of the Asian swing, a decision that briefly saw her lose the world No. 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka. The break also came during a period of change for Swiatek, who split from long-time coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and enlisted the expertise of Wim Fissette, the coach behind Grand Slam champions Kim Clijsters and Naomi Osaka.
Swiatek’s strategy going forward may reflect her desire to balance ambition with self-care. The back-to-back schedule has left players like Swiatek searching for ways to mitigate burnout, a goal the four-time Grand Slam winner believes can be achieved by adopting a more strategic tournament lineup.
At the WTA Finals, Swiatek faces a challenging lineup in her group stage matches, where she’ll compete against top competitors like Barbora Krejcikova, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula. Last year, Swiatek defeated Pegula to claim her first WTA Finals title, and she’s entering this year’s tournament determined to defend her crown and end the season on a high note.
With an eye on Grand Slam dominance and a sustainable career, Swiatek’s evolving approach may very well set a new standard in the WTA.
