Players have voiced concerns about the last-minute readiness of the Cancun stadium for the WTA Finals, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday. Players barely had the opportunity to practice on the main court ahead of the opening matches. The WTA Finals, known as the pinnacle of the WTA Tour, bring together the top eight players in the world to compete against each other.
However, the construction of the arena took place at the eleventh hour, leading to frustration among the players. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, expressed her disappointment, stating, “I’m not happy that we couldn’t practice on the match court, meaning like on the stadium. I think this is not the level for the WTA Finals. We literally have one hour today, like 45 minutes, to try the stadium.”
Aryna Sabalenka says she hopes WTA will do a better job next year because ‘this is not the conditions for WTA Finals’:
“I’m not happy that we couldn’t practice on the match court, meaning like on the stadium. I think this is not the level for the WTA Finals. We literally have… pic.twitter.com/lQxODuO7fz
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 28, 2023
Sabalenka felt that the apex body of women’s tennis could have done a better job in their organization of such an elite event. She further added by saying, “But these are not conditions for the WTA Finals. So it’s not great. I mean, usually, we need like three to four days to kind of like adjust to conditions. But we’ll see. I guess it is how it is. But I hope that next year WTA will do a better job.”
World no. 7, Ons Jabeur, while appreciative of the construction team’s efforts, wished for better preparation. She remarked, “I’m not very happy that this is the first day we hit the stadium. This is such a big event. We should have been able to be ready and hit on the court. Hopefully, this will never, ever, ever happen again. Like ever…”
Ons Jabeur hopes the late court construction for WTA Finals will never happen again:
“I mean, obviously as a player, I wish the stadium was ready couple of days before in order to have a better preparation & everything. I don’t want to take the effort that the construction team… pic.twitter.com/oxcOkFAJ8S
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 28, 2023
Their frustrations stem from the limited practice time on the main court, which is essential for such a prestigious event. Despite the challenges, the players remain determined to deliver their best performances and hope for improved preparation in future editions of the tournament.
Cancun weather causes issues for players ahead of 2023 WTA Finals
Elena Rybakina, the current world No. 4, practiced on one of the hotel courts, which served as makeshift practice facilities for the players. This improvised arrangement was necessary because the tournament failed to meet the deadline for finishing the construction of the main stadium court for the WTA Finals for their practice.
Coincidentally, the weather conditions in Cancun were extremely windy, which posed a challenge for Rybakina during her practice. Rybakina expressed her desire for more practice time on the main tournament courts, saying, “It’s surprised me that we didn’t get a chance yet to practice. I think that’s the only day now. I’m going to get the first hit in the evening. Tomorrow, I have to play the match, so this is a bit disappointing.”
Sassy Lena is back! Shading the stadium and the conditions!🌪️😂🤦♀️
byu/ArsenalGoonerFanbase intennis
In spite of the prevailing external circumstances, world no. 2, Iga Swiatek emphasized the importance of focusing on the game rather than these conditions, which would be the same for all players who are competing. She stated, “To perform well here, you just have to kind of not care of everything that is going on around, just really focus on playing the best tennis possible.”
Iga Swiatek says today was the first time she’s had the chance to practice on centre court at WTA Finals:
“Today I had the chance to practice on the centre court for like 45 minutes for the first time. It’s a little bit different than the practice courts. I guess to perform well… pic.twitter.com/NeVrUmf4Is
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 28, 2023
Despite the challenges echoed by these top women players, they remain determined to deliver their best performances and hope for improved preparation in future editions of the tournament.