Iga Swiatek has been influenced by gambling being a big part of tennis in one way or another, and she recently shared her thoughts about this industry becoming more present in tennis.
Gambling in different shapes and forms is something that will likely never disappear from this world. For many people, it’s exciting to gamble, as it brings a kind of thrill.
When it comes to sports betting, tennis is one of the most bet on sports. The reason is relatively simple. Tennis is one of the biggest sports in the world, so there are hundreds of matches played at all levels every day, but also, it’s a sport where things can massively change just in a span of a few minutes.
In recent years, gambling has become a much more significant part of the sport. There are various deals that tournaments or organizations have with betting companies, which then help to run the sport and pay out the prize money to players, even though they can’t be sponsored by betting companies.
On the one hand, it helps the sport in this way, but on the other hand, it is also a big problem. Tennis players often receive various threats after losing matches, which doesn’t help the sport at all.
That’s why the current WTA World No. 2, Iga Swiatek, was asked about gambling in tennis ahead of the 2025 Indian Wells Open. The Polish player admitted that, in her opinion, the issue is too complex.
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She is aware of the business factor of having betting companies and other gambling businesses as part of the sport. At the same time, she is also the one who feels the negative effect of it.
“Oh, I don’t think I’m ready to answer that question because I never really thought about that much, because I always thought that this is how it is. There’s no point to think if it’s good or bad, because it’s always going to be there since it’s big business.”
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“I think, for sure, the thing that we as players feel is the negative comments and hate, because people are sometimes losing money because we lose or because we win. So, this is what impacts us. For sure, I feel like it’s not positive and not good at all.”
While Swiatek is well aware of all of the negative messages and threats that she receives, she also thinks that regardless of whether it comes because of betting or not, players will receive negative comments or messages.
“But hate is going to be out there on the Internet anyway. There are ways to stop it with like algorithms and the apps that are blocking it a little bit. But people put out on the Internet whatever they want, because it’s easy.”
“So this is the part I would say that hits us. But the whole concept of gambling and business behind it, I’m not really that well-oriented to really say. Sorry.”