Maria Sharapova Blasts Organizers For Preferential Treatment

A few ties from the ATP Cup were held in the city of Brisbane, Queensland. Simultaneously the WTA’s event Brisbane International 2020 was taking place in the same tennis center. The Russian champion Maria Sharapova slammed the tournament organizers for prioritizing ATP matches over the WTA ones.

“It feels like a little bit of a second-hand event” – Maria Sharapova 

“You definitely recognize it and notice it,” Sharapova said. “It feels like a little bit of a second-hand event.”  The comfortable time slots and the center court were occupied by the ATP men. The women’s matches were scheduled early, and they are held on the outside courts of the Queensland Tennis Center.

World Number one Ashleigh Barty and the defending champion Karolina Pliskova played on the outer courts as the tournament favored the ATP men. “It’s definitely a bit of a strange strategic move. I’m not sure (but) I heard that because the way that the court is constructed, that it’s not regulation for us to be playing on center court with the benches on the side,” she added.

Earlier, the American tennis player Sloane Stephens voiced out on the same subject.

Read More – Sloane Stephens Criticizes Brisbane International 2020 Organizers

The event organizers are engaged in earning profits. ATP fills more seats than WTA. It attracts more viewership, eventually, the organizers would prefer scheduling men’s matches on the pivotal courts.

“I don’t know what else it might be that’s preventing (us playing there), because I think there’s a lot of girls that are deserving of that center court spot in this draw. Everyone should have a conversation about it, that’s just my outside view,” Sharapova mentioned.

“We just weren’t in the conversation to even be considered. It was what the ATP wanted they got what they wanted, girls to the side, that’s kind of how it always is,” she concluded.

Wildcard for Australian Open 2020

World Number 147 Maria Sharapova lost to Jennifer Bardy in the opening round of the Brisbane tournament. The Russian has been awarded a wildcard to the main draw of Australian Open 2020.