2024 WTA News & Gossip

[Kieran]

Thanks for the recap MM. I understand completely what's going on. It's hogwash. I'm really sick of the way the sport has been handled the last few years. It's enough to make me stop watching it. That time may come sooner rather than later.

There are a lot of warning signs that the sport might make huge mistakes that cost it viewers, attendees at tournaments, and eventually sponsors etc. I see things such as on court coaching as a woodworm that might succeed in weakening the sport. That’s just one example, but these doping bans are also a very worrying trend. If tennis loses the trust of fans, it’s not a given that it’ll get it back…

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Chinese Zhang Shuai has continued her late season resurgence, earning a wild card into the main draw of AO 2025, Zhang won the womens singles event at the AO Asia Pacific Play Off in Chengdu, China.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

There are a lot of warning signs that the sport might make huge mistakes that cost it viewers, attendees at tournaments, and eventually sponsors etc. I see things such as on court coaching as a woodworm that might succeed in weakening the sport. That’s just one example, but these doping bans are also a very worrying trend. If tennis loses the trust of fans, it’s not a given that it’ll get it back…

The warning signs might be there? There is at least 30 years of evidence of the WTA making huge mistakes. The cracks have been there ever since Virginia Slims left the WTA in the mid-90s: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-12-mn-19286-story.html

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The warning signs might be there? There is at least 30 years of evidence of the WTA making huge mistakes. The cracks have been there ever since Virginia Slims left the WTA in the mid-90s: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-12-mn-19286-story.html

Please I think we have all moved on since the Virginia Slims Phil lol! The biggest mistake the WTA has made, in my opinion, was to allow 'On court Coaching' and recently made friends with the Devil and allowing the WTA Finals be moved to Saudi! of course money was a big factor in their decision

 

[Fiero425]

The warning signs might be there? There is at least 30 years of evidence of the WTA making huge mistakes. The cracks have been there ever since Virginia Slims left the WTA in the mid-90s: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-12-mn-19286-story.html

You ain't wrong! VS was w/ the ladies from the beginning back in '71! I hate smoking, but even though I'm not much a drinker, I tolerate beer, wine, & hard liquor sponsoring sports! I don't think people realize where women's sports has come from! Way back when, they survived on expense $$, teaching, coaching, & bagging groceries! BJK was the 1st woman to win $100+ K in a season by taking 10 VS events back in '71! Equity didn't occur until the USO gave both men & ladies $90 K in 1982! They're making millions now, but are destined to screw it up! Their main problem, a lack of star power IMO! It helps to have a top lady from the USA,, but it's been wanting here for years; even w/ the Williams out there on speed-dial into their 40's! I miss Osaka, Barty, & Andreescu! End RANT!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

You ain't wrong! VS was w/ the ladies from the beginning back in '71! I hate smoking, but even though I'm not much a drinker, I tolerate beer, wine, & hard liquor sponsoring sports! I don't think people realize where women's sports has come from! Way back when, they survived on expense $$, teaching, coaching, & bagging groceries! BJK was the 1st woman to win $100+ K in a season by taking 10 VS events back in '71! Equity didn't occur until the USO gave both men & ladies $90 K in 1982! They're making millions now, but are destined to screw it up! Their main problem, a lack of star power IMO! It helps to have a top lady from the USA,, but it's been wanting here for years; even w/ the Williams out there on speed-dial into their 40's! I miss Osaka, Barty, & Andreescu! End RANT!

For someone who doesent watch the 'current womens game' your comments of a lack of star power is not completely justified
Nothing remains stat in our game, and we cannot compare different eras in tennis, due to the different variables
I believe the WTA is still transitioning from when Serena Williams retired, and yes she and her sister Venus who by the way hasnt officially retired had Star Power and could fill any arena around the world. Even Ash Barty who I admired, didnt have the 'star power' of the Williams sisters.
WTA today has great depth and in the current Top Ten we have some great athletes and players, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff, Paolini, Rybakina and other players on the rise,give them time to reach greater heights.
BTW Osaka and Andreescu are still playing ( due to different circumstances arent playing to their full potential, like a few years ago)
I suggest start watching the current WTA players they might just surprise you, as time waits for nonone especially those who live in the past

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The entry field of the ASB Classic WTA250 in Auckland has a rather solid field , December 30th to Jan 5th
Keys, Anisimova, Osaka, Tauson, Miss Sun, and even Emma Raducanu.
Bianca Andreescu has withdrawn citing ' personal reasons' tournament director, Nicolas Lamperin, and when asked to elaborate, he would not.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

WTA500 Brisbane entry lists December 29th - Jan 6th,
Sabalenka (1) Pegula ( 7) Navarro (8) Kasatkina (9) Badosa (12) Schnaider (13) Kalinskaya (14) Ostapenko (15) Mirra Andreeva (16), just some of the top players on the list, which is quite a strong field before the first major of the year