- Seoul slams Russian treaty with N. Korea, Zelensky urges 'tangible pressure'
- De Zerbi hails Greenwood as Marseille await Paris Saint-Germain
- Under-fire Ten Hag blames injuries for derailing Man Utd
- Wounded Arsenal must show 'ruthless mentality' against Liverpool: Arteta
- Howe challenges Newcastle stars to step up
- UK's Labour govt prepares to unveil its first budget
- New Zealand eye history after Santner's 7-53 in India Test
- Guardiola backs Man City's Foden to emerge from slump
- England reeling at 24-3 after gritty Shakeel century
- Pakistan judicial reforms see next top judge passed over
- Germany promises more visas for Indians during Scholz visit
- Postecoglou says hype will not affect teenage star Moore
- PSG reject league order to pay Mbappe 55 mn euros in back pay
- Olympic champion Zheng finds mojo to reach Tokyo semis
- Gritty Shakeel century gives Pakistan lead over England in third Test
- Tropical storm leaves towns submerged, 76 dead in Philippines
- Ancelotti 'not losing sleep' over improved Barca ahead of Clasico
- New Zealand lead by 301 after Santner's 7-53 in India Test
- Stock markets diverge in steady end to week
- UK climate strategy ruled lawful in landmark court case
- Lebanon says Israeli strike that killed media workers a 'war crime'
- Slot targets Arsenal scalp after flying start for Liverpool
- Shakeel's gritty century lifts Pakistan to parity in third Test
- Uganda court sentences former LRA commander to 40 years
- Marc Marquez clocks lap record to go fastest in Thai MotoGP practice
- Smog in Pakistan megacity ends outdoor play for schoolkids
- New Zealand on top after Santner's 7-53 in India Test
- 'End of an era' for Hezbollah after Israel killed its leader
- 'End of an era' for Hezbollah after Israel's killed its leader
- Lebanon minister says Israel strike puts second Syria crossing out of service
- Ahmed triple strike leaves Pakistan 187-7 in third Test
- Lebanon says Israeli strike killed 3 media workers
- Asia markets diverge after Tesla boosts Wall Street
- Tunisian freediver Walid Boudhiaf eyes records and developing the sport
- Schauffele makes up ground in Japan after opening-day nightmare
- Santner takes seven as New Zealand bowl out India for 156
- Lebanon says Israeli strike kills 3 journalists
- Beyonce v Joe Rogan: stars power up US election
- Locals fume as Lisbon's historic trams become tourist 'toy'
- India 107-7 after Santner takes four wickets for New Zealand
- Myanmar rebels take the road to Mandalay
- Taiwan president says 'won't yield an inch' in defence of island's territory
- Thunder roll past Jokic's Nuggets to open NBA campaign
- Bezzecchi quickest in opening practice for Thai MotoGP
- Commonwealth struggles to overcome splits over brutal past
- Stafford throws four touchdowns as Rams beat Vikings
- More than 150 Rohingya refugees rescued off Indonesia: UN
- Thai massacre families demand justice as charge deadline expires
- Asia markets split after Tesla boosts Wall Street
- Stung in Europe, Bayern and Dortmund face tricky away trips
CMSC | -0.08% | 24.62 | $ | |
NGG | -0.83% | 65.795 | $ | |
CMSD | 0.32% | 24.9 | $ | |
RIO | 1.58% | 65.65 | $ | |
RBGPF | -0.05% | 62.97 | $ | |
BTI | 0.19% | 34.715 | $ | |
SCS | 1.22% | 12.745 | $ | |
GSK | 0.48% | 37.921 | $ | |
AZN | -0.66% | 75.4 | $ | |
RYCEF | 0.14% | 7.21 | $ | |
BP | 1.07% | 31.64 | $ | |
BCC | 1.05% | 138.43 | $ | |
BCE | -0.59% | 32.947 | $ | |
JRI | 1.15% | 13.121 | $ | |
RELX | 1.03% | 47.59 | $ | |
VOD | 0.42% | 9.55 | $ |
Swiatek feeling the squeeze from crowded Masters calendar
After winning a gruelling final in Madrid three days ago world number one Iga Swiatek now has to quickly readjust to the clay in Rome for the Italian Open which began on Tuesday.
Swiatek said she had spent the first two days in Rome "eating" after coming through "the most intense and crazy final" to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year's Madrid final with a three-hour 11-minute victory in the Spanish capital on Saturday.
The three-time French Open champion said that players were feeling rushed by the expanded format of Masters events which have ballooned to nearly two weeks long and which leave little or no time for physical and mental recovery.
"Overall, the Tour is getting more and more demanding because of the length of the tournaments and all these mandatory rules, both on ATP and WTA," Swiatek said.
"Scheduling-wise, the planning is going to be more important, sometimes even (missing) some tournaments that are important for you, for you to be ready for the next one."
The top seed will make her Rome start in the second round after a bye, playing American Caroline Dolehide.
Swiatek, who won the 2021 and 2022 editions at the Foro Italico before exiting a year ago in the quarter-finals to eventual champion Elena Rybakina, said the calendar squeeze on players can be huge.
"Even if I win (a tournament), it doesn't stick in my head. I celebrate for one day, then I'm off to another tournament ... in my head.
"We don't have time to rest properly. You have to use these days (between long-running events) and treat them a little bit like days off.
"These tournaments are longer and it's not possible to have days off (like) before, so sometimes you have to have them during."
The former champion said she's nevertheless glad to be in Rome, where opening day play was halted for around an hour due to light rain.
"I'm happy to be here because I love this place. I spent my first two days eating," the 22-year-old joked.
"I've already practiced today in the morning. For sure it's a challenge to adapt. But it's nice to have problems like that."
D.Kaufman--AMWN