The 2023 WTA Finals at Cancun, Mexico, has been a letdown to the players and the fans. The season-ending event has been finding itself in trouble from the start. The top eight players have expressed their disappointment multiple times in the first two days of the event. Iga Swiatek was not happy after her opening match against Marketa Vondrousova.
Swiatek appealed to the audience and fans after there were many empty seats in the stadium. She said that players are giving their 100 percent and hope to see more fans next time. Swiatek’s complaint was heard by Nick Kyrgios, who replied with “merger” on platform X. It seems that Kyrgios was suggesting a merger between the ATP and WTA as they talked about it.
‘Merger’
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) October 31, 2023
The officials of ATP and WTA had held talks this year, but there has been no progress about the merger. Kyrgios had even asked about merging the draws initially. Few players are against the decision as others feel it will help the WTA come out of its ongoing crisis. The players have been openly talking about the WTA and its failure in handling events.
Iga Swiatek feels WTA Finals court is uncomfortable
Swiatek is playing at the WTA Finals for the third consecutive year. She had lost two matches in the group stage in 2021 and lost in the semifinals last year. This year, she recorded her second bagel at the event against Vondrousova. The world No.2 was overall not happy with the conditions at Cancun. Swiatek felt that the courts were not comfortable to play.
The 22-year-old also felt that there was little time to practice on the court. Players could not get used to the surface as the courts were only ready a day before the event. Vondrousova also shared her opinion that the courts were not fit to play. She said that the courts are not at all suitable for the WTA Finals.
Iga Swiatek says the court at WTA Finals is ‘not a positive thing for any of us’ but she’s not focused on it:
“Obviously, it’s not a positive thing for any of us. I think the main thing is not focusing on that & just doing your job. Sometimes it bounces weirdly on clay & grass… pic.twitter.com/CdRt35yWJX
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 31, 2023
Swiatek will next play against Coco Gauff in the WTA Finals. Both the players are in good form and have recorded bagels in their opening matches. Gauff has only won one match against Swiatek in nine of their meetings. The American has only two sets so far against the Polish player. The courts are not up to the mark, but the players are definitely giving their best at Cancun.
