"Weak era propagandists will have tough time surviving this" - Fans back Chris Evert after she supports Iga Swiatek over hectic scheduling concerns

Many tennis fans have supported Chris Evert for her comments agreeing with Iga Swiatek's bemoaning of tennis' scheduling arrangements. Evert had backed Swiatek's concerns after the Pole had said that players play "too many tournaments." Evert's take resonated with fans.

Current World No. 1 Swiatek had initially voiced her views on the subject during a press conference ahead of the ongoing Cincinnati Open. The Pole was quizzed about it once again on Saturday, August 17, after needing three sets to get the better of 17-year-old Russian prodigy Mirra Andreeva in the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals.

The five-time Major winner Swiatek aired her apprehensions about the number of tournaments that the game has:

"Obviously it’s not our decision, but for sure I think we have too many tournaments in the season - it’s not going to end well, and it makes tennis less fun for us," Swiatek told Sky Sports Tennis during a post-match on-court interview.

Former World No. 1 Chris Evert, who was among the most dominant forces in women's tennis through the 1970s and 1980s, later took to X (formerly Twitter), and wrote in response:

"I certainly can understand Iga Swiatek's concern about playing too many tournaments, especially when you go deep in tournaments every week. Adding in the Olympics and much more depth in the game, it’s an important topic."

Mauritian former men's tennis player Kamil Patel then disagreed with Swiatek's comments on X, saying the schedule had been steady for a long time:

"Another tennis player complaining about having to...play tennis. The schedule has not changed since the 80's," Patel wrote.

Chris Evert then responded to Patel, saying players have to play at their best in the early rounds of tournaments, something that didn't used to happen in her playing days:

"What people don't understand is there is SO much more depth than the 80's! I played then!! The players now have to bring their "A" game in the first round; we didn't!" Evert said.

Following this exchange, some fans agreed with Chris Evert, adding their appreciation of her understanding of the game:

"She has a perfect understanding of the evolution of the sport . . . This is exactly why we laugh when Fedal (Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal) Fanatics say that Djokovic has had it easy ruining the aspirations of three different tennis generations . . .," a fan wrote.

"The "weak era" propagandists will have tough time surviving this, I love her honesty, mother!" commented another fan.

"You're a legend and inspiration. Thank you for supporting the athletes. RESPECT!" another fan weighed in.

Some fans, meanwhile opposed Patel's take on the matter:

"Listen to Chris Evert dude, my god, it's not that difficult to comprehend if you just try a little," wrote a fan.

Here are some more fan reactions:

"Oh tell them, you legend," another fan commented.

"This year they had the Olympics also, that can use up a lot of emotional energy. The turnaround seems like next day,"added another fan

"I really.....REALLY hate agreeing with Chrissy on anything....but when you're right you're right!" another fan added.

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Chris Evert had questioned scheduling at Australian Open 2023 after fourth-round match finished beyond 2 a.m.

Chris Evert (Source: Getty)

At the 2023 Australian Open, a fourth-round women's singles match featuring former World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka and Zhu Lin reached its conclusion well past 2 a.m. local time in Melbourne. There already were question marks over the prestigious hardcourt Major's scheduling after ATP stars Andy Murray and Thanasi Kokkinakis' five-set marathon had ended at 4 a.m.

These developments led Evert to question the scheduling of night matches. The former WTA World No. 1 wrote on X questioning late-hour finishes in tennis:

"Watching Azarenka and Zhu… what other sports, if any, compete at 2:30 am???" Evert wrote.

Despite widespread condemnation from the likes of influential former players such as Evert, the 2024 Australian Open saw men's singles finalist Daniil Medvedev playing in multiple matches that finished late. He looked exhausted in the final against Jannik Sinner and eventually lost despite establishing a two-sets-and-a-break advantage over the Italian.