"Blatant misogyny Iga Swiatek is facing for BEING TOO GOOD": Andrea Petkovic infuriated by complaints of Pole's French Open win making tennis 'boring'
Andrea Petkovic is incensed by the criticism directed at Iga Swiatek over her triumph at the 2024 French Open. Petkovic has defended the Pole against the complaints, drawing a contrast to the positive reception of Novak Djokovic's dominance.
Swiatek made history by clinching her third consecutive Roland Garros crown, surpassing Justine Henin to become the youngest player with four French Open titles. The Pole claimed a commanding 6-2, 6-1 win over Jasmine Paolini in the final, concluding her claycourt season with title wins at the Madrid Open, Italian Open and French Open.
Amid the praise for her achievements, the World No. 1 has also faced criticism, with the accusation being that her dominance at the claycourt Major is making women's tennis "boring."
Andrea Petkovic expressed frustration over such complaints in her analysis of the French Open, condemning the "blatant misogyny" involved in criticizing Iga Swiatek for simply being exceptional at her job.
"A thing that has not only made me unhappy but straight-up furious is the blatant misogyny that Iga Swiatek is facing for BEING TOO GOOD AT HER JOB," Petkovic wrote on Substack.
The German also argued that similar grievances were absent when Novak Djokovic showcased his dominance by beating players much younger than him with ease, questioning why Swiatek's similar success is being viewed as detrimental to the sport.
"I never heard anybody complain when nearly forty-year-old Novak Djokovic beats young talents on one leg because he’s that good but when a woman cruises through the field suddenly WOMEN’S TENNIS IS BORING and Iga Swiatek is not good for tennis," she added.
"Iga Swiatek was part of two matches already that will most likely end up in the top 10 best matches of the year" - Andrea Petkovic
Andrea Petkovic further highlighted the contradiction between women's tennis previously being criticized for not having consistent champions and now coming under fire for Iga Swiatek's unmatched dominance.
"Do you remember the time when everybody was complaining how women’s tennis had no real champions and the major tournaments were too wide open for anyone to take? Now, this may come as a surprise: but you can’t have it both ways," she said.
The German pointed out that, despite the accusations of the Pole making women's tennis boring, she has already played out two of the best matches of the year against Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka.
"Just a gentle reminder that Iga Swiatek was part of two matches this season already (vs Sabalenka in Madrid and vs Osaka last week) that will most likely end up in the top 10 list of the best matches of the year," she added.
The World No. 1 narrowly edged past Sabalenka in the Madrid Open final, claiming a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) victory. She also survived a scare against Osaka in the second round of the French Open, saving a match point to secure a hard-fought 7-6(1), 1-6, 7-5 win.