Paula Badosa is the latest player from the women's tour who spoke about the controversy surrounding this year's WTA Finals.
The women's year-end championships in Cancun came under intense scrutiny and criticism from pundits and fans. Some of the players who competed at the tournament did not conceal their disapproval and condemned the abject playing conditions and the state of the court.
In fact, the main court for this year's tournament was constructed just a few weeks leading up to the tournament and it was only completed a day before the start of play. The world's top eight singles players and doubles teams had to use makeshift hotel courts during practice.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova did not hold back in calling out the WTA leadership team, notably the CEO Steve Simon, and stated that a change is needed within the hierarchy. Some of the WTA players who made their feelings known include Aryna Sabalenka, Marketa Vondrousova and Elena Rybakina.
Paula Badosa, who has recovered from a stress fracture to her spine in time to play for Spain at the Billie Jean King Cup, was pleased to her fellow contemporaries vehemently condemn whatever is making their work burdensome. The Spaniard noted that WTA players are more united now than ever and have spoken in a group chat to force these changes.
"I think it's very good that they complained because when we don't like something, we should say so. I think that until now there was a lack of unity between us, and that is not the case now."
"The players are not happy. We have a (WhatsApp) group in which we talk to see if we can change things in the WTA, because it can be improved. They are forcing us to play more and longer tournaments, and in the end we are in a cycle from which we cannot get out."
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