Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has criticized the WTA for the poor performance of the season finale in Cancun.
Vondrousova compared hosting the Billie Jean King Cup in Seville with poor efforts in Cancun.
She says her complaints are common among top players.
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka also complained about conditions, including the poor condition of the newly built courts in Cancun.
“Coming to Seville from Cancun seems like something different,” Vondrousova said.
“Here we have excellent slopes, there is no wind, there is no rain. I feel better here! I guess it’s much better to get here from Cancun than to do the opposite, traveling from here to there. We girls talk a lot about this topic, even before we go to play.
“We were in contact every day. I think in the end we were all very disappointed: it wasn’t tennis. We suffered a lot in every match. Furthermore, I believe that the tennis presented was not good, neither for the spectators nor for us.
“When we arrived and saw the courts were crazy, the rain was crazy…we were disappointed.
“I had to stop my match against Gauff about five times. It drove me crazy. Yes, I know, it’s part of tennis, but things shouldn’t happen like that.
“They should know where a tournament like this will be held well in advance of the US Open, and take a look at the weather on the dates they plan to hold the tournament. I think that’s the first thing they should do,” she said.
Vondrousova hopes the WTA’s top players will be able to use a little power to force change in the sport.
“I have the impression that the best players in the world already know each other a little more, that we know each other quite well,” Vondrousova said.
“I think the girls who are in the top 10 or top 15 are very close. We feel that together we are strong and that maybe we can do something.
“We can also communicate directly with people and the WTA, in an organized way.
“It’s nice to know we can stand up for each other.”
WTA chief Steve Simon said players’ concerns had been taken into account.
“It is clear that you are not happy with the decision to be here in Cancun. I understand that and you have been heard,” Simon wrote in a note to players.
“This is not a perfect event, we understand the conditions pose a challenge and the WTA takes responsibility for this.”
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