"I think maybe missing one or two should be allowed": Coco Gauff argues players should be afforded more freedom as new WTA mandatory rules confirmed
WTATuesday, 20 February 2024 at 15:02
World No. 3
Coco Gauff expressed her indecision regarding the new regulations introduced by
the WTA for mandatory tournaments. The 2023 US Open champion arrived at the
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as one of the favorites to claim the second
WTA 1000 title of the year, starting just a day after the Qatar Open.
The
demanding schedule has faced criticism from players, including 4-time Grand
Slam champion Iga Swiatek, who voiced concerns about participating in major
events in consecutive weeks due to the risk of injuries and physical issues.
During a
press conference before her debut in Dubai, Gauff mentioned that it is
challenging for players to adapt to these rules: "I feel like I’m always
adjusting to tour life, playing more tournaments," she said on Monday.
“I’m still
learning the whole mandatory situation. It hasn’t changed the way I approach
it, except maybe after Australia I was thinking about maybe not playing in
Doha. Since it was a 1000, I decided to play. I don’t base my results off of
that decision. It’s definitely different. I think I’m on the fence of just
waiting and seeing how it goes.”
WTA regulations
Players who
are directly accepted into the main draw of a WTA 1000 tournament based on
their WTA ranking must compete in the event. If they choose to withdraw, they
will receive zero points, which are included in the calculation of their WTA
ranking. The ranking calculation is based on a specified number of events per
year.
“I think
maybe missing one or two should be allowed with the way our sport is,” Gauff
commented. “Also at the same time, I get the business side of it and media
side of it, how to promote our sport,” Coco added.
“You want
the best players there. It’s just about adapting. I think at the end of the day
players should just make decisions what’s best for them and not think about
ranking or any of that.”
Mental recovery after defeat
The
American experienced an unexpected loss to Katerina Siniakova (6-2, 6-4) in
Qatar and bid farewell to the tournament in the first round, despite being the
second seed. The 20-year-old tennis player discussed how she bounces back after
a defeat: “You lose more than you win, especially in tennis,” she said.
“For me,
I’ve been just trying to enjoy the other aspects in life other than that. Just
listening to your body and listening to your mind. If you feel like you need to
miss a tournament, miss it. For me, I’ll always try to play as much as I can
with being healthy.”
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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