The final of the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup) tennis tournament will be played from 8–13 November, but the audience on site will not be able to see the Polish world number one Iga Swiatek.
The 21-year-old helped Poland reach the final in April earlier this year but will not be able to attend when she plays the WTA Finals, a tournament involving the top-ranked players, in Forth Worth, Texas, between October 31 and November 7.
The Billie Jean King Cup thus begins one day after the WTA Finals - on the other side of the globe.
“I thought it through and discussed it with my team, but I won't be able to play the Billie Jean King Cup in Glasgow.
And that makes me sad," writes Swiatek on Instagram.
"I am very sad because I play for Poland when I have the opportunity and I always do my best.
I am disappointed that tennis' governing body did not agree on something as simple as the competition calendar, which only gives us one day to travel the world and change time zones”.
"Can cause damage"
The WTA Finals is organized by the WTA (Women's Tour) while the Billie Jean King Cup is organized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
“This situation is not safe for our health and can cause injuries.
I will talk to the WTA and the ITF to bring about a change.
The situation is not only difficult for us players, but also for the tennis fans who support our sport", concludes Swiatek.