"Playing a final of a 1000 at midnight is an abomination": Stubbs fumes amid Rybakina-Kalinina presentation and scheduling at Rome Open

Former player Rennae Stubbs has called out the odd scheduling at the Rome Open pointing out how a final was being played at midnight local time.

The final between Rybakina and Kalinina began at about 23:00 local time mostly due to the rain which pushed back play for several hours. It was supposed to begin even later but the organizer moved the WTA final to a second court allowing it to begin immediately after Medvedev and Tsitsipas finished their match.

The scheduling in Rome has been under fire for days because the organizers have seemingly disregarded the weather projections because they made several questionable calls during the week. The final could have been played earlier today when the conditions were somewhat drier as opposed to waiting for the scheduled start of 19:00 and risking the rain.

Stubbs called it out including the odd trophy ceremony:

“What the hell is going on with this presentation? Also the fact that the women are playing a final of a 1000 at midnight is an abomination!!!!!”

She added:

“Then they announced the winner first!?? And forgot about the runner up! Dear lord!!! Wooof!!! I love Italy I mean LOVE but they are NOT the worlds most organized!”