"Same girl that supports the ban of innocent Russian & Belarusian athletes" - Tennis fans outraged by Iga Swiatek's support for WTA's return to China
Iga Swiatek's remarks regarding the WTA tour's decision to resume hosting events in China despite the unresolved issue of Peng Shuai's disappearance have sparked outrage among tennis fans.
The WTA tour suspended events in China in December 2021 citing concerns for Shuai's safety and well-being. However, the decision was overturned on April 13 without any progress in the investigation.
In an interview with Eurosport, Swiatek declared her trust in the WTA to make the right decision regarding their return to China.
"I just trust that the WTA is making right decision. I hope that we, as players, can be safe no matter what country we are from. I don't have any kind of emotional influence because I have never even been to China. It's hard for me to say anything, but I just hope that WTA is strategically making a good choice," Swiatek said.
Iga Swiatek on WTA’s return to China & Peng Shuai: “I just trust that WTA is making right decision. I hope that we, as players, can be safe no matter what country we’re from. I don't have any emotional influence bc I’ve never even been to China. It's hard for me to say anything” https://t.co/Rh9pqbqjyf
Tennis fans were quick to point out the perceived inconsistency in Swiatek's stance on international affairs. While the Pole has been outspoken about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, her decision to opt for diplomacy in this particular scenario drew criticism from fans.
"It wasn't hard for you to take a shot at the Russian and Belarusian players," a fan wrote.
@TheTennisLetter It wasn’t hard for you to take a shot at the Russian and Belarusian players @iga_swiatek .
"This is the same girl that supports the ban of innocent russians and belarussians athletes," another fan chimed in.
@TheTennisLetter This is the same girl that supports the ban of innocent russians and belarussians athletes 🤡
Another fan pointed out the Pole's apparent lack of empathy and limited perspective on situations that did not affect her directly.
"Hmm. It’s giving….”I don’t care as it doesn’t affect me”. Maybe we need to stop asking her these questions because I don’t think she has the range. She’s a good tennis player let’s continue to ask about that!," the fan tweeted.
. She’s a good tennis player let’s continue to ask about that! twitter.com/thetennislette…
Hmm. It’s giving….”I don’t care as it doesn’t affect me”. Maybe we need to stop asking her these questions because I don’t think she has the range 😭. She’s a good tennis player let’s continue to ask about that! twitter.com/thetennislette…
Here are some more fan reactions to Swiatek's comments on the WTA tour's return to China:
“I don’t have any emotional influence bc i’ce never even been to china” is she kidding? lmao okay so you only care about the ukranian conflict bc it directly impacts you, got it twitter.com/thetennislette…
@TheTennisLetter But Iga they are sleeping in the bed with Russia? Or that doesn't matter now. I'm confused. 😧
@TheTennisLetter Lol she is the biggest hypocrite in the WTA her downfall will be amazing
@TheTennisLetter This is such a hypocritical take tbh. Either be consistent or be quite about it all.
@TheTennisLetter She's been running her mouth about Russians and Belarusians and now she has nothing to say? Such a hypocritical coward. Virtue signalling when it suits her 🤦🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️
@TheTennisLetter There's a simple solution, stay home, don't go to China. They support Russia after all but we all know you would never do that. Too much $$$ at stake!
Case closed.
Swiatek ain’t any “human rights activist”, she just loves money.
She hopes Russian/Belarusian players to be banned simply because she’ll make more money that way.
It’d be interesting to see if she’ll wear that blue/yellow ribbon when she comes to China. twitter.com/TheTennisLette…
@TheTennisLetter A shame she hasn’t stepped up after speaking so well about the Ukraine situation. Really hoping some players make the right moral choice and refuse to play in China but can’t see it happening sadly with all that would be at stake
@TheTennisLetter That’s a double standard
The same criticism apply for China and Rusia
"I think I'm ready" - Iga Swiatek gears up for Stuttgart Open title defense
Iga Swiatek will begin her claycourt season at the Stuttgart Open after a month-long layoff from the WTA tour due to a rib injury.
In the same interview with Eurosport, Swiatek stated that she has fully recovered from her injury and is ready to defend her Stuttgart title.
"I'm not injured anymore, so that's the most important thing for me. I feel like I used that time in Warsaw well to rest a little bit and to not think about tennis. I have still been working out physically a little bit and obviously coming back to practicing step by step. Here I am and I think I'm ready," the World No. 1 said.
Iga Swiatek will take on Qinwen Zheng in her opening match at the Stuttgart Open on Thursday, April 20.