Billie Jean King Calls for Better Organization in Women's Tennis
Billie Jean King has urged the sport of tennis to better organise itself next season.
Issues at the WTA Finals
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals faced criticism from players and was compared to the infamous Fyre Festival due to a lack of organization.
The venue in Cancún, Mexico, was still being built leading up to the competition and players expressed concerns about the unsafe court surfaces.
The scheduling of the WTA Finals just two days before the BJK Cup resulted in top players opting not to participate in the latter tournament.
Player Fatigue and Travel Challenges
Players experienced exhaustion and travel challenges due to the back-to-back tournaments. For example, Storm Hunter arrived in Spain for the BJK Cup just a few hours before her match.
American star Jessica Pegula played an average of a match every 2.2 days throughout the year and had a match on November 6th.
Billie Jean King emphasized the need for organizations to work together to avoid such scheduling conflicts in the future, prioritizing the well-being of players.
Pressure on the WTA and Calls for Change
The WTA Finals faced criticism for holding the outdoor tournament on the coast of Mexico during hurricane season, resulting in adverse weather conditions.
Players like Aryna Sabalenka and Marketa Vondrousova expressed disappointment and frustration with the lack of readiness of the stadium and the organization's disregard for their opinions.
WTA Chairman Steve Simon has faced increasing pressure, with calls for new leadership and greater representation of women in key roles.
