Victoria Azarenka demands for a definitive location for ‘Undervalued’ WTA Finals for better publicity
Victoria Azarenka thinks that WTA Finals must be held every year at an appropriate place which can entice the crowd and inspire players to participate in this event.
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Victoria Azarenka stated her opinions on WTA Finals
The WTA Finals is the flagship event of the WTA Tour. Every year Top 8 singles and doubles players according to that year’s WTA rankings participate in this season-ending tournament. There are always great expectations from the event. However, from the past couple of years there has been more confusion in players and organizers minds.
WTA signed a deal with China to host WTA Finals for a period of 10 years in the port city of Shenzhen. Shenzhen hosted the 2019 WTA Finals which saw Ash Bary emerge victorious. She took a hefty check of $4.42 million home as prize money. Also, the turnout in Shenzhen was great too.
But Covid-19 restrictions and following Peng Shuai’s allegations of sexual assault on a high-ranking official of the Communist Party of China and her disappearance in its aftermath, led to all tennis tournaments in China to be cancelled. The WTA Finals 2021 were organized in Guadalajara, Mexico and the 2022 edition was hosted by Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
However, Victoria Azarenka think that WTA Finals must find a permanent home. She further emphasizes that the event is being organized every year on a very short notice. This gives very less time for players to prepare well also marketing is not apt.
Eminent journalist Reem Abulleil shared an excerpt of Victoria Azarenka’s interview in which she gave answers of mediapersons on the sidelines of the WTA Dubai Open 2023.
Victoria Azarenka: "We need something that is deserving of the (WTA) Finals. Last couple years with such a short announcement, absolutely no time for marketing – my opinion – it's been undervalued."
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) February 20, 2023
More here: https://t.co/1F8puBlGtJ pic.twitter.com/8AsODSbvRU
“We need something that is deserving of the (WTA) Finals. Last couple years with such a short announcement, absolutely no time for marketing – my opinion – it’s been undervalued. However, I felt that the crowd in Guadaljara (Mexico) was unreal and every player I have asked, they said that it was ‘amazing’ and I think that part is also very important for us that we have a great crowd. So, we need a definitive place that we have time to promote. Players are excited and don’t find out in the last minute or like two months before, where you are going. So, its about scheduling. There is really defined place,” she said.
She is also a member of the WTA Player’s Council. Hence, she also pointed about the ongoing talks to organize this event in China.
“There’s still talks about China. There’s nothing definitive,. I would not share it here anyway because its quite confidential but I can honestly say that lot of just are talks,” she continued.
Victoria Azarenka’s performances this season
The current World No.16 came to Australia early to prepare well for the 2023 season. She participated in the 2023 Adelaide International 1 tournament. However, she was knocked out in the quarter-final round of this tournament by Linda Noskova. She subsequently participated in the Adelaide International 2 tournament. However, she was knocked in the first round of this tournament.
Victoria Azarenka then participated in the Australian Open. Here she managed to reach the semi-final round, however, she could not manage to win against eventual finalist Elena Rybakina. But her performances throughout the tournament were appreciated a lot by tennis fans and critics. Also, besides her accomplishments on the court, her outfit was also highlight of the tournament.
She then reached Middle East where she participated in the Qatar Open. However, she was knocked out in the second-round by Belinda Bencic. She is currently playing in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2023.
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Abhar Indorkar
(451 Articles Published)