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WTA defends its court after No. 1 Sabalenka calls conditions at finals 'another level of disrespect'
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Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus leaves the court after defeated by Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the women's singles quarterfinal match of the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. - photo by AP Photo/Andy Wong
CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — The women's tennis tour defended the court built for the WTA Finals as meeting its “strict performance standards” after No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka called the conditions at the season-ending championship “another level of disrespect.” At least two of the eight singles players at the event that began Sunday complained about the temporary outdoor hard court in Cancun, including saying that it was not ready earlier to allow for more practice time before the competition. “Honestly, it’s another level of disrespect from the WTA for the players, because sometimes they don’t even feel safe to move on this court.