Tennis Authorities Urged to Address Exhaustion Concerns by Billie Jean King
Tennis players demand action as exhaustion takes its toll on their performance Billie Jean King calls for collaborative efforts among authorities to address the pressing issues in the sport Room for improvement and addressing the pressure on WTA are crucial
As the curtain falls on another thrilling year of women's tennis, the game's administrators are grappling with tough questions, particularly in the wake of an end-of-season tournament that drew heavy criticism from top players.
November 07, 2023 - Seville, Spain: Team Australia's Storm Hunter and Kimberly Birrell celebrate their victory in the doubles match during the Billie Jean King Cup Finals group stage match against Slovenia at Estadio de La Cartuja. (Photo credit: Fran Santiago/Getty Images for ITF)
Tennis star Storm Hunter defied the odds to win her BJK Cup match after enduring three flights in 24 hours and dealing with lost luggage. The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals, meant to showcase the pinnacle of women's tennis, instead faced criticism from players and was even likened to the disastrous Fyre Festival by a UK newspaper.
Problems arose before the first serve was even made at the venue in Cancun, Mexico, where construction was still ongoing just weeks before the competition. Players, including the then world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, criticized the WTA for their lack of organization, citing concerns about the safety of the main court and practice courts. Additionally, scheduling conflicts resulted in the WTA Finals ending just two days before the start of the BJK Cup in Seville, Spain, organized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
This resulted in many top players in the sport choosing not to participate in the end-of-year tournament known as the World Cup of tennis. Adding to the challenges, the WTA Finals finale was postponed for a day due to prolonged bad weather, causing matches to be affected and leaving only a 24-hour gap between the two tournaments.
Australian doubles player Storm Hunter, for instance, arrived in Spain from Mexico the morning of her first BJK Cup match. On the other hand, American player Jessica Pegula participated in 136 matches in 2023 in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, with her latest match being on November 6. This averages to a match every 2.2 days since the beginning of the year.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King, a founder of the WTA in 1973 and current ambassador of the BJK Cup, emphasized the importance of improved collaboration between organizations to prevent future scheduling conflicts. Speaking to CNN ahead of the Cancun event, she stated that it is challenging but necessary for the sport to come together, noting that the BJK Cup had confirmed its start date "well before" the WTA Finals.
"I think we really should think about the schedule together. I think we need to take care of our sport the most. Put the sport first and figure out the scheduling."
Pressure on WTA
The women's tennis game is filled with a deep pool of top-tier talent, and the future of the sport seems secure with a promising group of young players. However, the WTA Finals, which was won by Poland's Iga ÅwiÄ tek, will be remembered for the distressing images of players enduring stormy conditions on an outdoor court, a consequence of hosting the tournament on the Mexican coast during hurricane season.
"Im dying laughing or maybe crying," Sabalenka said on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to a montage of players playing in high winds and rain at this years event.
Aryna Sabalenka waits during a rain delay at this year's WTA Finals.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
After being knocked out of the competition, reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova expressed her disappointment, stating "We work hard all year to get to the Finals and in the end it's just a disappointment," on her Instagram.
The stadium is completely unprepared for the matches, and it appears that the WTA is indifferent to our concerns as the players set to compete on that court. Our voices are not being heard, and it seems no one is interested in our perspectives.
After the tournament, the organization assured CNN that it will collaborate with players to make necessary changes.
"We are actively making specific improvements as we have communicated with players," stated the WTA. "We are dedicated to considering players' suggestions while ensuring a successful future for the Tour and women's tennis."
Prior to the WTA Finals, there were ongoing complaints from players who collectively sent a letter to the WTA, outlining various concerns including pay, calendar congestion, and other issues. WTA chairman Steve Simon has faced mounting criticism, with tennis legend Martina Navratilova suggesting the need for new leadership.
"For me personally, as a long-time member of this women's association from the beginning, I believe it's time for a change. With only two women having led the organization, I hope that the next leader will be a woman," Navratilova told Amazon Prime.
The WTA Finals in Mexico was largely denounced by the players this year.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Simon issued a response letter during the WTA Finals, detailing the organization's approach to addressing the raised issues. However, there appears to be no easy fix for the various challenges currently impacting women's tennis.
Room to improve
King, the architect of the womens game, said putting the good of the game front and center of any decision-making was the best place to start.
"It's difficult to get people to work together. I've always prioritized our sport, which has been my focus since I was young, striving to turn it professional from its amateur beginnings," she stated.
"Back in the early days, women were being excluded, but we found a way to carve out our own space, create our own tour, and make things happen. We must keep pushing for that."
"But I think about mens and womens tennis, I dont just think about womens tennis. Its about our sport that matters."
