WTA News & Gossip 2023

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Just reading thoughts from the President of the Saudi Arabia tennis federation,
" We're still in talks with the WTA.Nothing is final, nothing is set.We're trying to find what's the best way to collaborate with the WTA whether its the Finals, whether it's other tournaments.We're in great discussions and things are moving along.So we're very optimistic" she said.
"We're still hoping that next year we can have a combined New Gen event with female.So it would be male under 21 and female uner 21.I think that would be great to inspire female tennis players here"

https://www.arabnews.com/no...

Female Next Gen should be restricted to under 17 or under 18. Unlike the men's game, it's fairly common to win slams before 21 in the women's game. Just in the last 5 years, we have Bianca Andreescu, Iga, Emma Raducanu, and Coco as teenage slam winners.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Female Next Gen should be restricted to under 17 or under 18. Unlike the men's game, it's fairly common to win slams before 21 in the women's game. Just in the last 5 years, we have Bianca Andreescu, Iga, Emma Raducanu, and Coco as teenage slam winners.

Quite frankly I will be totally against having a female Next Gen in Saudi Arabia considering their attitude and treatment of women full stop.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Changes are happening at the WTA with Steve Simon stepping down as CEO but staying as Executive Chairman while the role of President is being disbanded.
Micky Lawler, who has served as President of the WTA since 2015, will leave the organization at the end of the year to 'pursue' new opportunities.
Simon has been both Chief Executive and Chairman since 2015, but the roles will be split to create 'greater focus' on the WTA's goals
So the position of CEO for the WTA is open, I recently read Martina Navratilova thinks a woman would be ideal, I thought when Stacey Allaster was in charge she did a great job.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

WTA Tounament Award Winners (as voted by the players)

1000 Indian Wells ( 10th straight year)
500 Charleston Open
250 Transylvania Open
125 To be announced in January

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sad news for Bianca Andreescu, who has announced because of her back injury she wont be back on the tour until Indian Wells or Miami. Bianca said she will need to work hard to get her ranking high enough to qualify for the Olympics. Bianca's current ranking is #96

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Mirra Andreeva plays (and loses) to male player after Marta Kostyuk refuses to play her: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/te...1b9ad797d881a2d&ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&ei=6

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Mirra Andreeva plays (and loses) to male player after Marta Kostyuk refuses to play her: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/te...1b9ad797d881a2d&ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&ei=6

I read that news earlier, I am not surprised by Kostyuk, it was only an exhibition, in tournaments she refused to shake hands if her opponents are Russian or from Belarus., I cant see that changing anytime soon
Just read a bit more regarding Kostyuk, this is from the exhibition,
Kostyuk had agreed to play a Russian but no handshake, which they accepted
But then, word of the upcoming match spread on Ukrainian social media and Kostyuk bowed to that pressure
" No one blames her' word from the tournament

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

For the next 4 years, the Elina Svitolina Foundation will manage the Ukrainian women's national team for the Bilie Jean King Cup
Elina will be involved in strategy, development and preparation

 

[the AntiPusher]

This is good for Alycia,and let's hope she starts playing past first rounds at big events.I guess she listened when her followers on IG started suggesting a new coach .

Alycia has so much raw power.. this could be interesting..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

43 year old youngster Venus Wiliams is targeting a return next spring ( Indian Wells, Miami).Venus who suffered a fall on CC at Wimbledon this year, said it disrupted her plans in 2023, also the start of 2024, Venus will miss the AO in 2024.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Emma Raducanu will be working with Nick Cavaday when she makes her return in January: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/te...485ae05b41337b29ce62&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=4

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Emma Raducanu will be working with Nick Cavaday when she makes her return in January: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/te...485ae05b41337b29ce62&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=4

Unless there are a lot of withdrawals for the AO, Emma will have to play qualies, Petra Kvitova is under a injury cloud with her ongoing back injury she sustained at the China Open 11 weeks ago, as I posted Bianca Andreescu will not be playing., of course Bencic is pregnant, I wonder how long Raducanu will last with Cavaday, as Emma goes through coaches like there ' is no tomorrow'.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Leylah Fernandez is the first player to win the Billie Jean King Cup Heart Award 3 times!

 

[the AntiPusher]

Leylah Fernandez is the first player to win the Billie Jean King Cup Heart Award 3 times!

Well deserved but As long as she doesn't sing EVER again

 

[the AntiPusher]

Grigor and Saba ??? Come on dude

 

[tossip]

Grigor and Saba ??? Come on dude

Dimi likes his women older and seasoned

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Dimi likes his women older and seasoned

I wonder if Saba's current BF whom she has been dating since 2021 Konstantin Koltsova, might get worried a bit with that photo
I see Tsitsidosa still cant get enough of each other
Saba and Badosa are Besties who knew lol!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Draw ceremony Brisbane International will take place Saturday December 30 at 9am AEST

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Irina Begu has withdrawn and won't be participating in the Australian tournaments including the AO in 2024

 

[Hoergren]

First - hope you all had a nice Xmas and are prepared for the new season. Here is a - to me - surprising fact?