Top Female Tennis Players Demand Changes from WTA Amid Dissatisfying Conditions at Cancun WTA Finals

WTA players align with Djokovic-led union to advocate for minimum pay guarantees, maternity conditions, scheduling and injury cover. Disgruntled athletes, including world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, label hastily prepared WTA Finals in Cancun "disrespectful".

More than 20 top female singles players, including world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, are protesting against the WTA Tour, expressing dissatisfaction over conditions at the hastily prepared WTA Finals in Cancun, dissatisfaction with pay, and requesting more formal recognition of the Player’s Union.
Players called for changes such as a guaranteed pay of $500,000 for top 100 players, $200,000 for players ranked 101-175, and $100,000 for those ranked 175-250, better maternity conditions, and wanting to be given access to audit tournament’s financial records.
The players' letter requested the WTA to formally recognise the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) that was founded by Novak Djokovic and also requested representation in the WTA Players Council.
Players including Sabalenka have criticised the conditions of the newly built court at the WTA Finals, noting that it was not ready in time for sufficient practice and did not feel safe for players to compete on.
Despite the WTA's assertion that the court meets its strict performance standards, Sabalenka, among other players, referred to it as 'another level of disrespect' from the WTA.
The dissatisfaction with the WTA comes after a series of incidents this year in which players believe women were treated poorly, including late court assignments and unbalanced prize money at matches.