Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina unite the players in rebellion as they write to WTA over better pay and schedule as reports of drift arise

The top players have been unhappy with the scheduling from a long time now.

Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina unite the players in rebellion as they write to WTA over better pay and schedule as reports of drift arise

Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina (Images via Wiki, WTA)

Top players on the WTA tour including World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, French Open champion Iga Swiatek, and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina are not happy with the pay and scheduling of the tournaments. These players have reportedly formed a ‘rebel’ group that has put forth a list of their demands which include higher pay and better scheduling.

It is worth mentioning that players have been unhappy with the scheduling. While Iga Swiatek openly blamed reckless scheduling for the reason behind her missing a few key tournaments, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina called out the playing conditions at the 2023 WTA Finals in unison.

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While Sabalenka sees the poor conditions of the courts as a ‘disrespect to the top players in the world’, Rybakina was disappointed about not getting enough time to practice. The Kazakh who is making her debut at the season-ending championships looked worried about the windy conditions in Cancun and felt the courts are not of the level of Top 8 players.

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All these little disappointments over time have led to players writing a strong-worded three-page letter to the WTA. According to a report in The Athletic, a letter signed by Sabalenka and 20 other leading players was sent to the WTA on October 5. It was followed by a series of meetings in China but to no avail. The report also talked about a separate letter sent by Iga Swiatek that also talks about the playing conditions being “far from ideal”.

Players demand independent representation on the WTA council and fixed pay

There have been a few demands that have been put forth by the top players on the tour. The Atheltic report has claimed that players want an immediate consideration of their needs for higher pay, a more flexible schedule that is more physically and mentally sustainable, expanded childcare, and official representation on the WTA Players Council from their own, independent player organization.

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Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek during WTA Finals trophy photoshoot, Steve Simon (Images via X)

About the pay scale, the players want WTA to adopt a similar policy as the ATP and announce a guaranteed pay of $500,000 for players in the top 100, $200,000 for players ranked 101-175, and $100,000 for players ranked 175-250. They also want compensation in case they are not able to play due to injuries, rest, or have a child.

The players sought a written response from the WTA to their letter by 13 October but there has been no such response. Instead, players were offered two meetings with the WTA chief, Steve Simon. However, none of them proved effective. In fact, among the lot, two top players left the meeting in Cancun midway.

It is worth mentioning that players have been complaining about the overall scheduling as well as the scheduling of matches during tournaments. The WTA announced the venue for the year-end WTA Finals so late for a third consecutive year pushing the players to the edge, inducing a fierce response.

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