"I need Iga Swiatek to withdraw"; "They saved Jasmine Paolini" - Fans furious with Nick Kyrgios-Casper Ruud swap at upcoming World Tennis League

Several tennis fans have objected to Iga Swiatek having to team up with Nick Kyrgios at the upcoming World Tennis League exhibition team tennis event. Initially, Swiatek wasn't supposed to be a teammate of the controversial Australian. However, there was a recent lineup change made by the event organizers.

When the lineups for the 2024 World Tennis League were first made public, Swiatek was placed in the 'Eagles' team alongside compatriot Hubert Hurkacz, Casper Ruud and Barbora Krejcikova. Meanwhile, Kyrgios was placed in the 'Kites' team with Stefanos Tsitsipas, Paula Badosa and Jasmine Paolini.

However, recently, the organizers released a statement announcing a lineup change. Part of the statement read:

"As part of the dynamic nature of the World Tennis League, a mutual decision was made in consultation with the team owners to make an adjustment to the player lineup between teams. This change also brings slight updates to the match schedule to ensure an exciting and balanced competition for all."

The change specifically saw Nick Kyrgios and Casper Ruud swapping places. As things stand, Kyrgios has been moved to Team 'Eagles', with Ruud heading to Team 'Kites'.

The change though, did not sit well with most fans. Iga Swiatek fans were particularly displeased with the former WTA World No. 1 having to be a teammate of Kyrgios, who has previously come under fire for voicing controversial takes on women athletes, including his ex-girlfriend Anna Kalinskaya, who is now in a relationship with ATP World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

"I need Iga to withdraw idc f**k that man," one fan wrote.

"Me now: Dear Lord, make Iga withdraw from WTL," another fan quipped.

"Iga after finding out who will replace Casper in the WTL:," chimed in one more fan, with the post featuring a Real Housewives clip.

"RUN IGA," another added.

Fans of the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini, on the other hand, were relieved that the Italian will not have to be on the same team as Kyrgios.

"They saved Jasmine from the Bermuda Triangle," one fan joked.

"GODBLESS JASMINE DOESNT HAVE TO BE WITH THAT FRAUD," stated another.

"Casper swapped out with Kyrgios? That’s like having a puppy taken away and given a rabies infected howler monkey instead," weighed in another fan.

Despite Iga Swiatek's fans' objections, Nick Kyrgios once came to the Pole's defense after she was criticized by a prominent tennis commentator.

Nick Kyrgios defended Iga Swiatek from commentator's criticism in 2023

Nick Kyrgios (Source: Getty)

Jimmy Arias, a former tennis player and present-day commentator, opined in July last year that Iga Swiatek lacks personality. Arias suggested that the Pole's face can barely be seen during matches because "she wears her hat so low".

"I don’t think she’s been great for women’s tennis because she wears her hat so low that you can’t even see her face or eyes during the match, so you don’t get a connection as much as you could… I want to see her personality," Arias said.

Arias' words about Iga Swiatek later surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), and Kyrgios soon took notice of them. The Australian delivered a three-word verdict on Arias' criticism of the Pole, writing:

"Another horrible take"

The 2024 World Tennis League is scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 19, at the Etihad Arena on YAS Island, Abu Dhabi.