The president of the WTA, the Dutch Micky Lawler, assumes “the new reality of society and sport” that has caused the pandemic. Now focused on the staging of the WTA Finals, which will be held for the first time in Latin America, in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, after the aftermath of Covid 19 ruled out the initial stage, Shenzhen (China), highlights the existing equality in women’s tennis although it assumes the solidity provided by having a bunch of leading players in the competition.
In an interview with the EFE Agency, Lawler highlights Mexico’s effort to contribute to the WTA after the difficulties generated by the pandemic and launch one of the most important tournaments of the season.
Q: What is the current situation in women’s tennis. Are we getting closer to normal?
R. “We are approaching and adapting to a new normal. We have a lot left and I do not know if one day we were like before the pandemic. But I think we will have to mentally get used to this new situation and I don’t think, to be honest, about going one day without a mask or without taking a test. Because it is not worth it and we are going to be very disappointed. This I think is what we are going to live from now on.
Q: What has been the impact?
A: “It has been very difficult because the entire Asian side has not been able to play and it has been very difficult economically and for the sponsors. For example, for the WTA Finals it will be played in Guadalajara when it would normally be played in Shenzhen (China). They are the problems that we all have and it is a great challenge for all of us who are here “
Q: A great boost for Latin American tennis that has never enjoyed a WTA Finals.
“Latin America is a continent where tennis is very popular with great champions. We have great champions who are Latin American. Even Leylah Fernandez (Australian Open finalist) his father is Ecuadorian. Tennis, also men’s, is one of the three most watched and most practiced in the region and there has always been that opportunity. But economically it is more difficult because it competes with regions like Europe and the United States in economies that are much more developed and stronger. The fact that we can bring this great tournament to Guadalajara, to Mexico, is very good news and even more in these difficult times they have been able to raise their hands and help us and say, come WTA to Mexico that together we are going to have a fantastic event ” .
. Q: Is it a good opportunity to further develop the events in Latin America?
“Yes absolutely. We have tournaments in Mexico and Colombia from now on and also new ones in Buenos Aires and Uruguay. We see momentum in this development. And what we see is also a lot of demand from all over the world but in Latin America it is a very important sport and it would be great to be able to further develop the events and the presence of the WTA in Latin America “
Q: Are these movements in the calendar going to be maintained or is the intention to return to those originally established?
“It is difficult to say now. The changes will have permanent positive consequences but there are tournaments in Asia that are very important with a great history and they will surely return. Tokyo, Seoul, China … are a very important part of the WTA circuit but at the same time the markets that have been able to react and have been able to provide us with solutions will continue to be part of our structure and we will continue to grow in this investment in these times difficult “
– Question: Women’s tennis now enjoys great equality. Without a clear dominator and the Grand Slam titles distributed among different players. How do you evaluate the moment?
. Answer: “You can look at it in two ways. What it shows is that there is a lot of depth in women’s tennis and this is something that is very good because all matches are very fought and tennis is at a very high level. Now, consistency in who wins is also important in developing the players’ brand. Since Roger and Rafa have won and won, everyone knows who they are ”.
“In women’s tennis it is more difficult. We have Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Garbiñe Muguruza … many champions, well-known great champions. But the consistency that men have is still lacking. Although the fight is impressive and that is a very important aspect ”.
– Q: What is better, having some references like Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal or Novak Djokovic as it happens in the men’s circuit or several players who can aspire for the titles?
. A: “It is difficult. In my position I cannot tell you I prefer this or I prefer the other. I remember when that was marked in women’s tennis and the winners had known each other since Monday. It would be Martina (Navratilova) and Chris (Evert), for example, and that caused tennis to begin to grow and grow because that brand of champions, the fact that everyone knows the names or the people, helps the growth of this sport. We cannot deny that.
But, on the other hand, I who lived those times and I live these times see that the level of tennis is very high. And I also prefer this. Ideally, there will be a very high tennis with six players who win and win and win to be able to repeat and develop that brand. But if we see the results of recent years, we cannot say more that we are growing at a galloping pace and we have to be grateful for that ”.
UNION WITH ATP
Q: The intention has long been for ATP and WTA to walk together. At what point is this desire currently?
“Two very positive things happened for this strategy, which for me is the only strategy. The great virtue of this sport is that men and women participate together on the same stage. We share fans and many things and that makes tennis a unique and interesting sport. What happened to the heads of the ATP Andrea Gaudenzi (president of the ATP) and Massimo Calvelli (executive director ATP) who were very receptive and open and saw this opportunity at the same time as the Covid ”.
“We started working together since March of last year and we have progressed a lot because we are working on the calendar and in other aspects to maintain the sport and to continue developing what we had started fifty years ago.”
“We launched a marketing and digital and social content team and that has given very good results. We want to work on other issues together. Operational issues even in mental health, physical health. We are looking at all this together ”.
