'Don't Think It's Fair': Gauff Speaks Out Against Late Finish Times

| by Alex Waite

Coco Gauff is the latest player to speak out against late finish times and adjusted schedules at recent WTA events.

Recently, Victoria Azarenka spoke out about the problems players faced with recovery due to late-night finishes. Her comments followed concerns raised by Sloane Stephens, and then Elena Rybakina also explained how her game was impacted by a 3 a.m. match finish at the Canadian Open.

Gauff was another player who felt the effects of difficult scheduling as her round of 16 victory over Marketa Vondrousova finished at 1030 p.m and she then had to face Jessica Pegula at 1 p.m. on the following day. To combat the issue, Gauff feels the WTA and organisers need to look at making 'adjustments' and potentially use other outside courts at venues.

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"Most of the times, especially in the Grand Slams, it doesn't happen. I do agree, like, starting a match late, especially after 11:00, kind of sets you up for a rough tournament, to be honest. I don't really think it's fair all the time."

"So I do think that there are adjustments that have to be made, especially in those one-week tournaments where there's no day off in between. Personally, I think they could have maybe moved that match to the second Stadium Court, because then it sets it up bad for that person and also, like, the fans in the final didn't see a quality match for the final, because unfortunately Liudmila had a tough week and it was amazing that she was even able to go out there and play."

Gauff also explained that the majority of WTA players are in favour of looking at scheduling to find alternatives to late finishes. Overall, the American feels that a better-organised competition would lead to higher quality tennis and more fan engagement too.

"I think there has to be adjustments made. I think all the players agree. But also, there is a business side of it. But I think maybe the quality matches would attract more fans when the players are ready."

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