Women’s tennis must change, according to two-time Slam champion Victoria Azarenka. Vika, after her first match at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai, focused on the issues the WTA would need to overcome to generate more interest.
She said: “I would like to see a lot of things change. Unfortunately, we are dealing with so many organizations that it is difficult to change. Many people belong to the older generation and may find it difficult to see the future.
We need more unity in the sport, more player participation, but it takes time. It is very difficult to change the way things have been done, to overcome traditions.
Tennis needs to change, to develop, to be faster in terms of playing time.” “The potential is high, but we need people who are willing to take risks..
The WTA Finals? We need an event that deserves to host such an important tournament. In the past couple of years we have seen sudden announcements and no one has had time to think about marketing.
So many aspects that have been underestimated. The players are eager to participate in this tournament, but we cannot know at the last minute or a month in advance where the tournament will take place.
For the moment, there is not really an established place. We always talk about China, but nothing definitive.”
The words of Iga Swiatek
The WTA Finals in Fort Worth, at least from the point of view of the public present at the Dickies Arena, did not have the expected success and alarmed the Women’s Tour.
Even world number one Iga Swiatek, during the tournament which took place from October 31 to November 7, appeared rather disappointed and expressed her disappointment at the lack of attention from the American public for the event which brings together the best eight players of the season.
She said: “I hope the stadium will be full soon, but we will see. I hope to have this chance, because I like to feed on the energy that the crowd transmits.”
