"Why you put Shelton at the front and Sabalenka the no.1 in the back": Tennis fans hit out as US Open put women's players at back of poster
ATPFriday, 08 September 2023 at 22:30
The US
Open's social media shared a poster featuring the tournament's semifinalists,
and fans criticized the decision to place the women in the back.
On
September 7th, the US Open semifinals began with the women's matches. Before
the matches started, the tournament's social media shared an image of the
tennis players who would be competing for a spot in the final.
The
victories went to Coco Gauff (6-4, 7-5 against Karolina Muchova) and Aryna
Sabalenka (0-6, 7-6, 7-6), and they will face each other in the final on
Saturday, September 9th, at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Some fans
took notice of the positioning of each player in the image, with the world No.
47 Ben Shelton in the foreground, while the new world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was
in the background.
“Why you
put Shelton at the front and Sabalenka the No.1 in the back,” some user wrote.
The Belarusian player is
the least prominent among the tennis players in the image, despite being the
only woman among them to have won a Grand Slam. Fans had mixed opinions about
this positioning.
“Coco in
the front. Sorry, Sabalenka might be the number one ranked player in the world
and is super likable but she lacks the star power to draw in casual fans. Maybe
if she wins some more Slams. Shelton to the back. He still has a ton to prove.”
“My guess,
they put their money makers up front. I was at the Alcaraz-Zverev match last
night, barely an empty seat in the place. The USTA likely sees Coco, Ben,
Carlitos and Novak as their biggest draws financially. Always follow the money.”
“The
disrespect is Madison in back and Coco after Shelton. Both should be in front
as much higher ranked Americans.”
"This is
their tournament. When Belarus is
hosting a tennis tournament, they are free to put their player at the front."
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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