[ad_1]
By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, November 6, 2023
The WTA induced controversy staging its WTA Finals in Cancun.
Martina Navratilova believes main mis-steps in Cancun will create a company casualty.
Sabalenka: Very Disappointed with WTA
Corridor of Famer Navratilova suggests WTA CEO Steve Simon is unlikely to outlive the autumn out from the Cancun calamity and asserts it is time for a girl to take over the Girls’s Tennis Affiliation.
“Perhaps it’s time for brand new management,” Navratilova instructed broadcaster Amazon Prime. “For me personally, this being a lady’s affiliation and being concerned for such a very long time from the start, we’ve solely had two girls on the head of it.
“I feel it’s time, hopefully, after we get a brand new chief, that it’s a lady. There’s loads of them which can be certified for the job.”
Critics have ripped the WTA over circumstances in Cancun for the WTA Finals.
Although the Tour cites the WTA Finals as its crown jewel, the stadium was accomplished simply days earlier than the primary round-robin match limiting participant observe time.
The WTA reportedly selected Cancun over each Saudi Arabia and the Czech Republic to host the elite eight-woman singles occasion. That call was made the primary week of September, offering little turnaround time to construct the short-term stadium in time for the beginning of the WTA Finals on October twenty ninth.
As well as, excessive climate in October delayed development of the short-term stadium.
All through the match, gamers have griped about lifeless spots on the courtroom, inconsistent and generally funky bounces.
After annihilating Maria Sakkari 6-0, 6-1 in her opening round-robin match, Aryna Sabalenka blasted the WTA for circumstances in Cancun saying “I actually really feel disrespected by the WTA.”
“I am comfortable that I used to be in a position to keep centered tonight, overcome the circumstances, and play nicely,” Sabalenka wrote on social media. “I’ve to say although that I’m very upset with the WTA and the expertise up to now on the WTA Finals.
“As I mentioned in my press convention tonight, as a participant I actually really feel disrespected by the WTA. I feel most of us do. This isn’t the extent of group we count on for the Finals.”
Robust feedback about courtroom situation from World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka on her Instagram feed final evening: pic.twitter.com/BbIFbvjVu2
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) October 30, 2023
In response, Simon and WTA leaders admitted errors had been made in Cancun and vowed to enhance in a letter despatched to WTA Finals opponents and revealed by BBC Sport.
“At first, it’s clear that you’re not proud of the choice to be right here in Cancun. I perceive that and you’ve got been heard,” Simon wrote within the letter. “It isn’t an ideal occasion, we perceive the circumstances are a problem and the WTA will after all settle for duty for that.”
Eighteen-time Grand Slam singles champion Navratilova means that admission of error isn’t adequate and believes Simon will not survive as WTA Chief.
“It’s going to be laborious for Steve to remain within the job by some means, as a result of all the pieces is pointing the opposite method proper now,” Navratilova mentioned.
Former BNP Paribas Open match director and chief working officer Steve Simon succeeded Stacey Allaster as WTA CEO in November of 2015. Throughout Simon’s eight-year tenure, the WTA partnered with Hologic as its first title sponsor since Sony Ericsson.
In December of 2021, the WTA, led by Simon, suspended its partnership with China in condemnation of former doubles Grand Slam champion Peng Shuai’s disappearance after she accused a high-ranking authorities official of sexual assault. The WTA subsequently ended its 16-month boycott of China earlier this 12 months after enduring main monetary losses coming after tennis was relaunching after the Coronavirus pandemic.
Unrest has prompted main gamers to brazenly query the WTA choice makers and path of the Tour on some points.
“We’re not proud of some issues,” four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek mentioned in Cancun. “I really feel like all the pieces is simply based mostly on desirous to have an increasing number of, however probably not taking good care of our well-being and well being.
“There are some issues that the WTA may change for us with none affect on the tournaments and the issues that they already agreed with the tournaments.”
[ad_2]
Source link
