Coco Gauff trying to take shelter with her umbrella in another downpour before the whales finally gave way under a strong gust of wind: the sequence recorded on Saturday during the semi-final between the American and her compatriot Jessica Pegula may make you smile but it once again highlights the risky choice of Cancun as the host city of the closing tournament of the women’s tennis season.
Unsurprisingly, the rain was once again present for the semi-finals of the event. The first clash between Gauff and Pegula was able to come to an end despite several interruptions but the poster between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka was postponed until this Sunday. The final will therefore be played on Monday.
In addition to the poor conditions in the middle of the rainy season in the Mexican seaside resort, the players criticized this week the quality of the courts set up at the last minute, with uncertain rebounds. The WTA faces numerous criticisms, in particular for having late scheduled the competition in Cancun outdoors for this season, after having considered Saudi Arabia, a choice already vilified.
“There was a series of bad decisions,” lamented legend Martina Navratilova. Steve Simon (the head of the WTA) has been in place for nine years, that’s where it takes us. The players have adapted, but we cannot hope for good weather in Cancun during the rainy season. Maybe it’s time for new management. I don’t see how Steve (Simon) could stay in place.”
The WTA admitted in a letter to players on Friday that the competition was “not perfect”, after a choice of site “complex, based on several factors”. “It is obvious that you are not happy with Cancun, I understand, and I heard you,” explains the text on behalf of Mr. Simon.
Like Ons Jabbeur, Aryna Sabalenka pointed the finger at the WTA after her demonstration at the start of the tournament against Maria Sakkari (6−0, 6–1). “I have to say that I am very disappointed with the WTA and the experience we are having with these WTA Finals. As I said in my last press conference, I felt like the WTA was disrespecting me. I think many of us have felt this way. This is not the level of organization that one would expect for a tournament like this. »