Injured US Open singles star used $75,000 record prize money as ulterior motive not to withdraw
WTAWednesday, 28 August 2024 at 11:56
Daria Saville made the honest admission that she only played her US Open match against Ena Shibahara due to the record $75,000 payday on offer. Albeit she spurned likely a big amount of that due to smashing her racquet and suffering a point penalty.
Saville who went viral during the Olympic Games for her excellent TikTok videos showing the Olympic life admitted previously on social media that she has plantar fascilitis in her right foot. She said that can barely walk after long matches.
This led to her offering up a truth bomb surrounding her participation that it was due to the money only and that she wouldn't get that payday elsewhere. But she does want to play in Asia albeit she sees it as unlikely due to her predicament.
“No. That is the truth,” Saville replied. “Like, where else will I make money? I lose money every week if I bring a coach. (I shouldn’t) play but where am I going to make prize money like that?”
“Mentally, it was tough because I felt that at some point, I felt that I didn’t even deserve it. Because I didn’t put in the work (by playing warm-up events). It is just a cycle. I have had it before when I was playing injured and it is just a horrible cycle. I’m thinking, do I even want to do this anymore?’
“I will regroup, maybe. I really want to play the Asian swing but sometimes I maybe feel like I don’t even want to do this thing anymore. I wanted to play Seoul, that’s highly unlikely now. Beijing. Wuhan.
“The pain was seven out of ten to begin with, and it is more sore when you are losing as well. It is a bit easier when I am up in the score. I’m really negative right now. I don’t know how I will feel tomorrow and probably I won’t feel that way in a few days, but it is not fun playing injured.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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