World primary Aryna Sabalenka has criticised the Girls’s Tennis Affiliation over the organisation of its season-ending Finals in Mexico.
Sabalenka, 25, beat Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-0 6-1 in her opening match on Sunday however mentioned she felt “disrespected” by the game’s governing physique.
“I’m very upset with the WTA and the expertise to date on the WTA Finals,” mentioned the Belarusian.
“This isn’t the extent of organisation we anticipate for the Finals.”
The venue for the Finals was solely confirmed in early September after talks between the WTA and Saudi Arabia didn’t yield an settlement for 2023.
The development of the courtroom within the Mexican resort of Cancun was solely accomplished within the days earlier than the event’s Sunday begin.
Gamers had been largely supportive of taking part in the event in Saudi Arabia, however there was criticism from the likes of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert of the WTA doubtlessly going to a rustic the place girls face discrimination.
Though Sabalenka dominated in opposition to Sakkari, changing 5 of her 9 break-point possibilities and successful 11 video games in a row to wrap up victory in an hour and 14 minutes, she mentioned the circumstances had been removed from preferrred.
“To be trustworthy, I do not really feel secure transferring on this courtroom quite a lot of the time,” Sabalenka mentioned.
“The bounce will not be constant in any respect and we weren’t capable of practise on this courtroom till yesterday for the primary time. It is simply not acceptable to me with a lot on the road and a lot at stake.
“As I mentioned in my press convention tonight, as a participant I actually really feel disrespected by the WTA. I believe most of us do.”
Sabalenka took the highest rating from Poland’s Iga Swiatek after the US Open in September and can end as year-end primary if she is undefeated in round-robin play or reaches the ultimate.
Earlier in Group A, American Jessica Pegula beat Elena Rybakina 7-5 6-2.
Pegula, 29, received 10 of the final 12 video games in opposition to her Kazakh rival, who had served for the primary set at 5-3 however had 35 unforced errors within the match.
Sabalenka’s subsequent match might be on Tuesday in opposition to Rybakina, with Pegula dealing with Sakkari.
Monday’s Group B matches see Swiatek tackle Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova whereas US Open winner Coco Gauff faces Ons Jabeur.