Wimbledon Champion Marketa Vondrousova who earlier during WTA Cancun Finals joined in on the criticism of the court conditions and woeful organization has yet again lashed out on WTA for the bad management of the showpiece tourney in Mexico.
The World No. 7 compared the Cancun venue with the arrangement at the Billie Jean King Cup in Sevilla and expressed her satisfaction about the latter. She asserted that the complaints she has are also voiced by her peers at the WTA.
World No. 2, Aryna Sabalenka also complained about the chaotic conditions in particular the poor state of the newly-constructed courts.
“Coming to Seville from Cancun seems like something different,” said 24-year-old Czech.
“Here we have excellent slopes, there is no wind, there is no rain. I feel better here! I imagine it is much better to arrive here from Cancun than to do the opposite, traveling from here to there. We girls talk a lot about this topic, even before we go out to play.
“We were in contact every day. I think in the end we were all very disappointed: that wasn’t tennis. We suffered a lot in every match. Furthermore, I believe that the tennis shown was not good, neither for the spectators nor for us.
“When we arrived and saw that the courts were crazy, that the rain was crazy… we were disappointed.
“I had to stop my match against Gauff about five times. This drove me crazy. Yes, I know, it’s part of tennis, but things shouldn’t be done like that.
“They should know where a tournament like this will be held well in advance of the US Open, as well as take a look at what the weather might be on those dates where they plan to hold the tournament. I think it’s the first thing they should do,” she said.
Vondrousova is hopeful that the top guns in WTA will be able to use a bit of player power for the betterment of the sport.
“I feel that the best players in the world already know each other a little more, that we know each other quite well,” said Vondrousova.
“I think the girls who are in the top-10 or top-15 are very close. We feel that together we are strong and maybe we can do something.
“We can also communicate with people and the WTA directly, in an organized way.
“It’s nice to know we can stick up for each other.”
WTA chief Steve Simon who has been under pressure to step down from his position has said that they are considering the concerns made by the players.
“It is clear you are not happy with the decision to be here in Cancun. I understand that and you have been heard,” Simon wrote in a memo to players.
“It is not a perfect event, we understand the conditions are a challenge and the WTA accepts responsibility for that.”