Iga Swiatek criticised by Billie Jean King for foregoing namesake tournament

Iga Swiatek has drawn comment from the great Billie Jean King after the Pole decided not to play the Billie Jean King Cup Finals this month. 

The world number one announced last month that she would not play the international team event. Swiatek made the decision based on the proximity between the WTA Finals and the BJK Cup, describing playing both as ‘unsafe’.

The WTA Finals ends on 7th November in Fort Worth, Texas, before the BJK Cup Finals kicks off the next day across the Atlantic in Glasgow UK.

“I can totally understand her reasoning,” King said. “I personally wouldn’t agree with it. But you know what? It’s about her. She’s the one that’s having to deal with reality now; I don’t. We’ll miss her.

“I would have liked her to wait a little longer, because you never know how you’re going to do,” the 12-time singles Slam champion continued.

“I mean, you just don’t know. And this is where you have to figure out for yourself what’s important to you. For me, this would be a no-brainer.”

Swiatek started well in Texas by defeating French Open semi-finalist Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 6-3 in her first round robin match, her fifth win over the Russian this season.

She faces Caroline Garcia next, the only woman at the WTA Finals that has managed to beat Swiatek in 2022.

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