Rennae Stubbs was left puzzled as to why the WTA Finals was held in Cancun over the Czech Republic, with information given to her making her question the decision.
Stubbs revealed on the latest episode of her podcast post WTA Finals that Aryna Sabalenka was a hot topic of debate due to the potential that she couldn't play in Czech Republic due to restrictions on Russians and Belarusians.
But the former coach of Serena Williams said that speaking to sources inside the Czech government, this wasn't a factor and that they'd given the go-ahead for Sabalenka to come in.
Ostrava and Prague were mooted locations, with both already being set up and in some cases offering more prize money than other bids. Also, the factor that Marketa Vondrousova and initially Karolina Muchova both qualified for the first time as well as doubles stars including Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova meant that it was then a puzzling decision to send it to Cancun including Stubbs.
"A Czech player told me that the government had given the okay for a Belarusian to come in and play because that was the only concern. I don't think there were any other Russians," she said on the latest episode of the Rennae Stubbs podcast.
"If it's out there in the public and the government has said "No, we will allow it, we'll make an exception on this one tournament" because of whatever reason, how can you not put it there?" she said. "Nothing against Mexico because as I've already stated, I want more tournaments in Mexico and the support was amazing at night. But we're talking about solid crowd support, indoors, getting it done on a timely basis. Instead they're playing a final of a WTA Finals on Monday and then some of those players are flying to the Billie Jean King Cup and having to play the next day. Like, what the f**k!" she added.
Aryna Sabalenka on the lessons she learned this season: “I had a lot of lessons this season. A lot of tough losses. A lot of great wins. Becoming world #1… probably not for long (laughing). Whatever. It’s not about ranking. I feel like those tough matches are something you need…
