Top WTA players such as
Aryna Sabalenka,
Elena Rybakina,
Ons Jabeur, and
Marketa Vondrousova are continuing to push for change despite still waiting for a reply to their letter.
Many of the WTA's Top 20 players have been involved in trying to improve conditions on the Tour, including a more flexible tournament calendar, higher pay, and better measures in place for childcare and illness.
After meetings and discussions at the China Open earlier this month, they released a letter on October 5 detailing their demands and asking the WTA for "a written, substantive response to this letter and each requested improvement with a clear commitment by the WTA to address the issues stated above by Friday, October 13th."
Players request PTPA representation
One key demand was for official representation on the WTA Player's Council by the Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA). The independent organization was founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, with the aim of "safeguarding and supporting men's and women's professional tennis players worldwide."
It also included a request for guaranteed pay of $500,000 for Top 100-ranked players, as well as $200,000 for players ranked 101-175 and $100,000 for players ranked 175-250. Moreover, the letter asked the WTA to provide compensation for those unable to play due to injury or because they are having a child.
However, despite asking for a response to their letter by October 13, players have still heard nothing as the month draws to a close. As a result, the PTPA Executive Director Ahmad Nassar has sent a letter to the WTA's chief executive Steve Simon.
Nassar revealed that Simon had told him that WTA leaders wanted to communicate with players away from outside influences such as coaches or agents, with Nassar arguing that the Tour itself is an outside influence.
"The reality is that the tour and tournaments are, in fact, outside influences having interests opposed to the players... the PTPA represents the playing group and them alone," he wrote.
He also added that the WTA's lack of a response to the players letter "reinforces the perceived lack of willingness to meaningfully engage and innovate."
World No. 2 and four-time Grand Slam champion
Iga Swiatek has also written to the WTA with a letter of her own, with her spokesperson Paula Wolecka saying she is part of a "united front here in wishing for a real change."
