“I do not understand that,” Aryna Sabalenka voices her opposition to the concept of performance byes at China Open

Sabalenka, known for her powerful game raised concerns regarding the legitimacy of this practice.

“I do not understand that,” Aryna Sabalenka voices her opposition to the concept of performance byes at China Open

Aryna Sabalenka (Image via: Imago)

With all the debate and controversy going around regarding performance byes, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has now come forward and voiced her opinion. Sabalenka, known for her powerful game, raised concerns regarding the legitimacy of this practice.

“I knew because they sent an email before, everyone knew about the performance bye, but I didn’t understand it. I thought they were like extra byes., she said, expressing her confusion.

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Sabalenka questioned the practice of granting byes to players who reached the semi-finals of a lower-tier tournament. The tennis personality talked about players who have byes for playing semi-finals in a lower tournament and receiving a bye in a 1000 tournament. She raised her concern, saying she assumed those byes needed to be earned.

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Sabalenka’s ire is focused on the allocation of byes to players based on their performance in lower-tier tournaments. She specifically questioned the logic behind players who reached the semi-finals of a lower-level tournament obtaining an automatic bye in a prestigious 1000-level event.

“Players who have byes for having played semi-finals in a lower tournament receive a bye in a 1000 tournament, I don’t understand it. I think you have to earn those byes,” Sabalenka asserted, emphasizing the importance of meritocracy in the sport. (via press conference)

Also read: “The stadium was empty” – Fans brutally bash ATP as Alexander Zverev expresses concern over poor scheduling at China Open

Sabalenka questions the fairness of performance byes

Earning a bye, according to the World No. 1, should be the consequence of persistent high-level performance, not just a reward for a good spell in a lower-tier event. She flatly asserted that she does not agree with this mindset of the players.

Credit: ESPN India

“I’m happy for the players who made it, but I think this is not acceptable. I hope the same thing doesn’t happen again later,” Sabalenka remarked, underlining her concerns about the potential perpetuation of this system. She advised that any changes in tournament categorization be followed by a more thorough review of the byes structure.

As Sabalenka challenges the established order, her remarks are certain to generate debate within the tennis community. The controversy over performance byes at the China Open is sure to heat up, compelling administrators to reassess the current structure and address concerns voiced by one of the game’s leading voices.

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