Iga Swiatek took aim at the scheduling at the Madrid Open after losing a thrilling three-set final to Aryna Sabalenka. The world No 1 finished her round-of-16 match at 1am and was playing until midnight again in the semi-final. And it was Sabalenka who was able to defeat the top seed 6-3 3-6 6-3 on Saturday.
Sabalenka was able to get revenge over Swiatek in Madrid, defeating her to win the title two weeks after the world No 1 beat her in the championship match at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The Pole was playing the Madrid Open for the first time in two years and appeared to take issue with some of the scheduling decisions she faced.
“I want to thank you guys for coming and enjoying tennis with us. I really saw Madrid from a different side this year, last time I was here it was in Covid. It’s a really beautiful city and it’s a pleasure to play in front of you guys,” the 21-year-old said before turning her attention to the downside of her time at the tournament.
She added: “It’s not fun to play at 1am though but I’m happy anyway that I was able to get past this experience and survive and be in the final.”
Swiatek finished her match shortly after 1am on May 2 after being pushed to three sets by 18th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and battled to win 6-4 6-7(3) 6-3. She then had another late one in Thursday’s semi-final, with the women scheduled after the men’s quarter-final in the night session.
Jan-Lennard Struff needed two hours and 30 minutes to upset Stefanos Tsitsipas before Swiatek could take to the court against Veronika Kudermetova. She earned a quick 6-1 6-1 win but still finished after midnight.
Ahead of the semi-final, Swiatek had already aired her grievances with her late-night matches as she explained that the aftermath was difficult to deal with. “This hour is tricky only because what’s going on after, you know, going to sleep really late and then waking up the next day. But before the match and during, I don’t think it matters. We just have to kind of adjust tactics,” she said.
As for Sabalenka, the second seed shared her hopes to play Swiatek again this season after getting revenge for Stuttgart. Addressing her opponent, she said: “As you said, it’s always tough against east other.
“You always push me to the limit and I hope we’re going to keep playing many more times this season.” The 25-year-old also thanked tournament director Feliciano Lopez for the birthday cake she received on Friday despite countrywoman Victoria Azarenka hitting out at its size.
“Thank you everyone who makes this tournament happen,” Sabalenka added. “Thank you referees, ball kids, tournament director – I think it’s all because of yesterday’s cake, it was too good.”
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