Jelena Ostapenko bluntly calls out WTA in Guadalajara Ostapenko asked about star players skipping Guadalajara.

Jelena Ostapenko, in a candid and forthright manner, has voiced her concerns regarding the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and its scheduling choices, attributing them to the notable absence of several star players at the ongoing WTA 1000 tournament in Guadalajara. The event in Guadalajara had initially garnered excitement when, in August, the entry list featured seven top-10 players ready to participate. However, the proximity of this tournament to the conclusion of the US Open has led to several star players, including Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Maria Sakkari, opting to skip it in favor of much-needed rest.

Among the top-10 players, only Ons Jabeur, ranked seventh in the world, has chosen to compete in Guadalajara this week. Ostapenko, expressing her perspective on this situation, remarked, “I mean, it is what it is. Of course, it’s a nice tournament, but the scheduling this year is not very good for the players. But, yeah, it’s a nice tournament. There is nothing to do with the tournament, it’s just the way the WTA is doing scheduling,” highlighting the organization’s role in the matter.

Reflecting on her own campaign in Guadalajara, Ostapenko, who reached the round-of-16 in her tournament debut last year, has adopted a pragmatic approach. She begins her journey this year by facing Marta Kostyuk, expressing, “I mean, I don’t expect anything. I just take one match at a time. It’s not easy to play here because it’s altitude. But, yeah, I played quite well here last year, so hopefully this year I can play even better.” Her measured outlook encapsulates the challenges posed by the tournament’s unique conditions.

When asked about her vision for the WTA in the coming decade, Ostapenko displayed optimism, remarking, “I mean, I think it’s getting better and better with the quality and the prize money and all these things. I think it’s good that the WTA is doing better and trying to be similar to the ATP.” With her positive outlook, she hopes for continued growth and parity within the women’s tennis circuit, mirroring the achievements of the men’s ATP tour.

As the week unfolds in Guadalajara, it remains to be seen how Ostapenko’s campaign will progress and whether her candid callout of the WTA’s scheduling decisions will spark discussions and reforms within the organization. In a sport where player well-being and the quality of competition are paramount, Ostapenko’s remarks shed light on the delicate balance that scheduling decisions must strike to ensure the participation of top-tier talent in prestigious tournaments.