Jimmy
Connors criticized the judicial fiasco of the 2023
WTA Finals following
complaints from Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
With only
the grand final left to determine who will take the title in Cancun, Jessica
Pegula advanced to the final by defeating her compatriot Coco Gauff in the
semifinals, and the 4-times Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek eliminated the
world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
The
tournament has not met expectations due to poor court conditions and the lack
of adequate facilities, leading to complaints from some of the participants,
including Elena Rybakina and Sabalenka.
Former
world No. 1
Jimmy Connors found the situation in Cancun unacceptable and
criticized the WTA for choosing the Mexican city as the location for the
Finals, especially given the recent hurricane in the area:
"To
leave it, you know, to the day before, two days before where the stands aren't
up and the courts have not been put down right." Jimmy Connors said.
"A lot of the things that go along with that that maybe haven't been
accomplished, that's unacceptable."
"If
they're gonna agree to have a tournament in our there, especially that
important, you know, it's a year-end finals for the ladies, you know, which is
a big important event to not have it as perfect, it seems a little out of
balance," he added.
"It
seems kind of, you know, crazy to go to Cancun and especially with, just what
happened through Acapulco," 8-times Grand Slam champion said.
"The
hurricane that went through there. And
listen, even if it's the last minute deal, when I had the senior tour, I know
what it's like to put up seats and and stands and put," he continued.
"And do all that and and you need a little leeway to do all that but but
you know, it's doable," Connors concluded.