The season-ending championship of the WTA tour in Cancun, Mexico witnessed a series of drama throughout the week. Players complained about the court and harsh weather conditions throughout the tournament. There were also complaints about the lack of training facilities provided to the players. However, there was no shortage of drama off the court and the event had to be dragged into another day until Monday. The complete mismanagement of the historic tournament has made the fans angry. One such fan of the racket sport is the former coach of Serena Williams– the 52YO Australian, Rennae Stubbs. She went ballistic at WTA in her recent interview.
No matter how much drama is there off the court, when it comes to the Grand Finale of the tournament, there was no such drama. Iga Swiatek thrashed her opponent from America, Jessica Pegula by a 6-1,6-0 margin within an hour. But even after hours of the match, there are still complaints pouring in. Complaints of tight schedules and poor management. Let’s hear what Rennae Stubbs has to say on this.
The former coach of Serena Williams doesn’t hold back at her rage towards WTA
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Even before the Australian Tennis Hall of Famer came onto the scene, players had come up with brutal remarks about the organizers. Aryna Sabalenka even went on to say that the players feel ‘disrespected’ in Cancun. With top players competing at the 51-year-old tournament, players and fans expected better management from WTA. Here’s what Stubbs said.
“If I’m there as the WTA top 8 player, and I’ve worked my a*s off for a year. I’ve supported your tournaments, I’ve gone and played your mandatory WTA 1000s when I don’t want to f**king play because I’m injured or I’m tired. You’re forcing me. And I know several players that were like one player that wanted to play an exhibition before Wimbledon. But was made, you know, told, Oh, you have to play this. And then they were given permission I was, I can tell you a million stories from behind the scenes that I won’t. Because I know, agents and I know players. And I know that the history of this tour. And I’m super supportive of the tour, you know how I feel about this, a lot of my friends work there, I only want to support the WTA Tour”, Stubbs said while bashing the inconsiderate WTA.
She then went on to add, “Tennis is my favorite sport, clearly. And I want it to succeed. But when you keep having these absolute, complete c*** ups. And you’re forcing players to play those events to support your tour. But then you, your job is to make sure the best tournament in the year that you control as a WTA is absolutely s**t. That is on you. Sorry.” Anger and frustration can be clearly felt in the words of Stubbs. However, she is far from over. Stubbs goes on to dive deeper into the primary issues of WTA’s management.
READ MORE: Why Are Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula Not Playing in the Billie Jean King Cup?
Complaining about the poor management of the WTA, Stubbs said, “You’re forcing them to go and play those tournaments. And yet you’re not prepared to put on a tournament at the end of the year is worth the work that they have put in for the year for you. Yeah, I mean, I say for you because yeah, they’re abiding by your rules all year long. And then they have to abide by that at the end of the year.” Stubbs looked disappointed and adding salt to her injuries must be the loss of Jessica Pegula in the finals.?
Rennae Stubbs, the former coach of Serena Williams is a big fan of Pegula
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In 2022, Stubbs was a part of Serena Williams’ squad as she played her final Grand Slam tournament at the US Open. Besides being a tennis coach, Stubbs is also a TV commentator who analyzes the game under the microscope. She has been quite vocal recently about her support for Jessica Pegula. The legendary coach has always admired Pegula for trying her hand at a new sport.
Jessica Pegula’s hand is not just good at swinging the rackets but she is also an avid golfer. The daughter of Buffalo Bills owner is often found posting clips showing her golf skills on her social media accounts. But this time the Polish, Iga Swiatek swung the racket faster to clinch a victory in the space of a mere 59 minutes. An absolute dominance in the middle of chaos.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Do you think that the WTA should have been more cautious regarding the schedules ahead of such a prestigious tournament? Comment your thoughts below.?
Watch This Story: Serena Williams Oozes Class as She Flexes Her Custom Ride at the CFDA Awards