“Doesn’t make sense”: Tennis fans expressed anger after introduction of ‘performance byes’ system for Tokyo Open main round draw
WTA
Tennis fans have expressed their protest after the introduction
of the ‘performance byes’ system in the draw system.
The new system has been used for the upcoming 2023 Tokyo
Open singles draw where the third-seed Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has been put
in an unfavourable position.
The 24-year-old will face Czech Republic’s Linda Noskova in
the opening round of the competition whereas fourth and fifth-seeded players — Greece’s
Maria Sakkari and France’s Caroline Garcia—will qualify straight to the second
round.
That outcome left the tennis fans unimpressed and they
shared their thoughts on social media platform X — previously known as Twitter.
The ‘performance byes’ system awards the players for their
performances leading up to the competition.
Rybakina has not played any professional tennis since her disappointing outing at the US Open 2023.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion was knocked out from the fourth
and final Grand Slam of the year after losing to Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in
the third round with a score of 6-3, 7-6, 6-4.
On the other hand, Sakkari and Garcia faced off in the semifinal
of the WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open on Saturday where the former came out on top in
straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-0. Sakkari even went on to win the Guadalajara Open.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
