World No.1 Garbine Muguruza believes the idea of a female version of the Laver Cup would be ‘awesome’ for the sport.
Last weekend 14 players participated in the inaugural Laver Cup, named after Rod Laver. The competition featured two teams, Europe and the rest of the world, playing against each other over three days. It is inspired by golf’s prestigious Ryder Cup with the aim being to honour the achievements of the legends of the sport.
The competition is currently a men-only event, but Wimbledon champion Muguruza has said that it would be ‘nice’ if the women also have their own version. Held in Prague, the event attracted over 80,000 spectators during three days.
“I just love that people go and watch tennis and the stadium was full,” she said. “It would be awesome to also have it on the women’s side.”
In principle Muguruza’s comments make sense, but logistically it is another thing. Muguruza admitted that finding a time in the year to host the event is challenging due to the WTA calendar, which takes place between January until the first week of November.
“It could be a mess to figure out when we could do it. No matter what you want to do with our schedule, it’s very hard,” she told AFP.
‘Nobody’s a machine’
On Wednesday Agnieszka Radwanska said that players on the tour were ‘exhausted’ as the 2017 season draws to a close. Radwanska lost in the third round of the Wuhan Open to Ashleigh Barty this week.
“Some of the girls are tired. Obviously it’s the end of the season,” she said.
“Nobody’s a machine here, you can just be exhausted after a couple of months playing tennis. These things happen,” the Pole said.
Radwanska is not alone in her comments. US Open champion Sloane Stephens began her Asian swing with a crushing defeat to China’s Wang Qiang. After her defeat, she described playing in Asia as ‘tough’ for her due to the different time zones. This year the first Asian Premier event took place in Japan, just two weeks after the conclusion of the US Open. There is a 13-hour time difference between those two cities.
“Asia is always tough for me. It’s hard for me to adjust (to the time change),” said Stephens.
It isn’t just the physical problems of playing a long schedule, it is the mental implications too according to Caroline Wozniacki. Prior to her shock first round loss in Wuhan, she won the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo last week.
“I’m feeling OK (physically). It’s more mentally… getting yourself up in the morning and having to be competitive and not just being able to take a chilled day,” she explained.
This year the Elite Trophy in Zhuhai will be the last WTA-level tournament to take place between October 31 – November 6.
