"Treating professional athletes like Sunday league": Indecision surrounding Elena Rybakina-Aryna Sabalenka rain delay WTA Finals match draws criticism
ATPFriday, 03 November 2023 at 21:30
The match
between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka at the 2023 WTA Finals experienced
multiple delays due to bad weather and was eventually suspended until the
following day.
Fans
expressed their frustration at the constant rain-related interruptions in the
showdown between these two Grand Slam champions. In a rematch of the 2023
Australian Open final, Rybakina and Sabalenka faced off, vying for the second
spot in the semifinals. However, the match remained incomplete and was paused
with the score at 6-2, 3-5 in favor of the Belarusian.
Earlier in
the day, Jessica Pegula secured her third consecutive victory by defeating
Maria Sakkari with a score of 6-3, 6-2. This win guaranteed Pegula the top spot
in the Bacalar Group, and she now awaits the outcome of the Chetumal Group.
Criticism
began to emerge due to what many perceived as poor scheduling by the event
organizers. It was known in advance that there would be rain during the match,
and many fans had hoped that the matches would be scheduled earlier to avoid
the weather-related disruptions.
These
issues add to the ongoing criticisms faced by the WTA regarding the Finals. The
venue was confirmed just six weeks before the event, leading to delays in
completing the construction of stands and other infrastructure.
This late
confirmation also prevented the tennis players from practicing on the court
prior to the tournament, and many of the seats have remained empty during the
round-robin matches.
“They are
treating professional high athletes like Sunday league absolute disgrace for
everyone involved ref fans ball kids, everyone,” some fan said.
"Whoever
coordinated an outdoor WTA Finals in Cancun in prime hurricane season should be
dismissed. It’s completely unfair the treatment the WTA players receive for
such an important tournament in comparison to ATP logistics. Dreadful
conditions! @WTA," they wrote on X.
"Next year @WTA, pick an indoor Hardcourt venue,
not too far away from the last set of tournaments of the year."
“Crazy how
bad the scheduling has been. WTA being so inflexible with it is ridiculous.
Being forced to play past midnight is unacceptable. Starting and stopping play
6x now. Why not just postpone the match for the next day?”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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