WTA’s refusal to allow PTPA members sees players leave the meeting midway as the Tour continues to push them for competing in Saudi Arabia

Players have raised concerns related to pay and conditions within the tour.

WTA’s refusal to allow PTPA members sees players leave the meeting midway as the Tour continues to push them for competing in Saudi Arabia

New World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and the former World No.1 Iga Swiatek (via Tennisnet.com)

According to The Athletic, there’s a rebellion brewing among the top women’s players over an apparent disregard for their genuine concerns by the WTA leadership. The thorny issues that came up in the heated discussion included concerns related to pay and conditions within the tour, among others.

According to sources, after the recently concluded China Open, over 20 players sent a letter to WTA for which they are awaiting a formal response, the deadline for which was Friday, October 13th. In addition to that, this Monday 4-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek herself sent a letter to the WTA leadership urging an immediate redressal of players’ concerns, her spokesperson confirmed. The purpose of the letter was to send a message of unity among the players who are “wishing for a real change”.

YouTube video

The letter sent in China included the signatures of several players including Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Marketa Vondrousova and Ons Jabeur. In addition to the issues mentioned above the letter included demands for expanded childcare and official representation of the Novak Djokovic-founded PTPA on the WTA Players Council.

FS Video

The issues regarding the condition of play on the tour exploded into the limelight at the ongoing WTA Finals being played in Cancun, Mexico. Several players including Sabalenka, Rybakina and Swiatek lashed out at the organization for poor on-court conditions. For context, the court was prepared just in time for the year-end championship due to which players didn’t get a chance to practice on the court. Sabalenka said that she felt “disrespected by the WTA”.

WTA pressurises players to agree to compete in WTA Finals hosted by Saudi Arabia

While the players await a formal response from the WTA on the issues raised, they received offers for two meetings with Steve Simon, CEO of the WTA Tour. Sensing the deluge of questions from journalists to the players on the issue, the organizing body gave players participating in the WTA Finals talking points to address the queries on various hot topics.

WTA TOUR
(Image via: WTA Tour)

These included the WTA’s position on those meetings with the leadership, as well as the war in Israel and Gaza, and the possibility that the WTA Tour Finals or other tournaments might take place in Saudi Arabia next year. The players were asked to appreciate WTA’s efforts in addressing their concerns on questions related to their meetings with WTA leaders.

Shockingly, on the Saudi Arabia issue, they advised players to say: 

I’m happy to play wherever the WTA Finals is hosted, it’s a prestigious event.

WTA’s stance on the issue might not go down with several players as their concerns related to gay rights remain unaddressed.

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