The world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has criticized the way the WTA Finals were organized in Mexico, in addition to expressing her discontent with the Women’s Tennis Association and admitting that she felt uncomfortable moving around the court during her first-round victory.
The WTA and Saudi Arabian negotiations failed to reach an agreement, and Cancun was only officially announced as the host city in September. The Mexican court’s construction was finished just a few days before the finals got underway on Sunday.
Following her 6-0, 6-1 victory over Maria Sakkari to start her campaign, she wrote on social media: “I’m happy that I was able to stay focused tonight, overcome the conditions, and play well. I have to say, though, that I am very disappointed with the WTA and the experience so far at the WTA Finals. As a player, I feel really disrespected by the WTA. I think most of us do. This is not the level of organization we expect for the finals.”
She concluded her discussion: “To be honest, I don’t feel safe moving on this court a lot of the time; the bounce is not consistent at all, and we weren’t able to practice on this court until yesterday for the first time. It’s just not acceptable to me with so much on the line and so much at stake.”
Aryna Sabalenka says the court at WTA Finals is another level of disrespect from the WTA:
“Honestly, it’s another level of disrespect from the WTA for the players. Sometimes, I don’t even feel safe to move on this court. That’s not the level I expect from the WTA Finals. Thank… pic.twitter.com/Ca1IKJAzkw
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 30, 2023
Aryna Sabalenka in 2023
Currently the world no.1, Sabalenka played her last match on the 29th of October when she beat world no.9 Maria Sakkari 6-0 6-1 in the round robin in Cancun (draw).
Presently, during this year Sabalenka achieved a 54-12 win-loss record. Aryna conquered 3 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open and Madrid. The Belarussian got to the final in Indian Wells, Stuttgart and U.S. Open.
