"I have made a difficult decision": Iga Swiatek opts out of representing Poland in upcoming Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers

Poland’s Iga has announced that she will not be able to take part in the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers. Poland are set to face Switzerland and Ukraine in the upcoming qualifiers, scheduled to be played between April 10 and 12.

World number two Swiatek, in a post on her official account on the social media platform Instagram, announced that she will not be able to feature in the event to bring more ‘balance’ to her schedule ahead of the busy season on clay court.

“I have made a difficult decision,” she wrote. “I know that this is not the information that fans, especially Polish fans, wanted, nevertheless, it is the right decision for me for now. I will not play in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tournament, which will be held in Radom. I always represent my country with pride. I played everything there was to be played for the country last year. I am extremely proud of the historic team success – the BJKC semifinals and the UC finals. Now it’s time for more balance, focusing on myself and my training. I keep my fingers crossed for the girls and the whole team.”

That decision is apparently a direct consequence of Swiatek’s recent struggles, as she has failed to win any event this year. Not only that, but she has failed to book a place in any event this year as well. Her most recent appearance was at the WTA 1000 event in Miami, where she was knocked out after suffering a shocking defeat in the semifinal against young Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 7-5. Her best outing this year came in the first Grand Slam of the year—the Australian Open—where her journey ended after losing in the semifinal to America’s Madison Keys with a score of 5-7, 6-1, 7-6.