'What a joke': Female players shafted in ugly Aussie tennis controversy
Sam Stosur says it is "not great" that the start of the women's Brisbane International has been relegated to outside courts due to a clash with the inaugural men's ATP Cup.
But the former US Open champion hopes a compromise can be made, backing the creation of a WTA Cup women's team tournament or the Hopman Cup's return.
‘APPALLING’: Nike slammed over 'tone-deaf' bushfire gaffe in Aus Open ad
‘TOUGH TO WATCH’: Tennis world stunned by 'distressing' Alexander Zverev meltdown
Some of the biggest names in women's tennis including Australia's world No.1 Ashleigh Barty have arrived for the season opener starting on Monday.
However, they won't feature on centre court at Pat Rafter Arena until at least Thursday, after ATP Cup group stage matches are completed.
Stosur said the tournament clash had caused confusion for fans and was "rough" on female players who had to start their campaigns away from the main stage.
"It's a bit rough that there's no women's matches on centre court until Thursday," she said on Sunday.
"So in that way it's not great. It does change the complexion a little bit.
"And I know a few fans that I've talked to or come up to me are a little bit confused about what's actually going on."
A number of fans are also up in arms.
So I just looked at the schedule for the Brisbane International and the ATP Cup. On the five days that the tournaments overlap, they've scheduled all the men's matches in Pat Rafter Arena and all the women's matches on the outside courts pic.twitter.com/0kQ7S8Dx4s
— Claire (@Miandre) December 28, 2019
Can I ask why the women’s tournament has been relagated to the show courts in Brisbane while the men play the ATP Cup in Pat Rafter Arena?
It’s not fair to the women, and it sucks for the spectators who are used to seeing mens and womens matches on a PRA ticket— RandomFashion 💙❤️💚💛💜 (@FashionNeen) January 5, 2020
@WTA @BillieJeanKing @Martina @serenawilliams please speak up about the women being locked out of Pat Rafter Arena over the ATP Cup until Thursday! This means less airtime - less visibility for the sport - less money for female players ! This is sexism !
— Delores Del Rio (@redredbluered) January 5, 2020
I'm actually quite curious as to how the Australian local broadcasters will air the Women's Brisbane International since the ATP Cup is running. 🤔 https://t.co/k1CZeIMJG0
— Baby Yoda’s Protector 🦒 (@ruby_and_winnie) January 5, 2020
It just hit me what’s missing from ATP Cup.
The women.
It was called Hopman Cup.
And I miss it.— TennisGreg (@Tennis_Pusher) January 5, 2020
@TennisAustralia @Channel9 can women’s tennis be downgraded any more? No live coverage until Sunday and an overkill of the ridiculous ATP cup. Wouldn’t know we had a number 1 female player. What a joke @TennisPodcast pic.twitter.com/SZvz7ktoO1
— Squirrel.Monkey (@Squirrel_Monkey) January 4, 2020
ATP Cup continuing to cause controversy
The men's 24-team ATP Cup started last Friday with six days of round robin matches in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney before finals action switches to Sydney on Thursday.
The Hopman Cup was scrapped due to the creation of the ATP Cup and ensured the Brisbane International became a stand alone women's tournament for the first time this year.
But it also ensured the women's tournament would not be able to hold marquee games on Pat Rafter Arena for its first three days.
Stosur believed a viable solution was creating a WTA Cup or bringing back the Hopman Cup, which features mixed teams.
"I talked to (Tennis Australia CEO) Craig (Tiley) about that at Wimbledon last year and I know that he's very much on board to try and make a WTA (Cup) event," she said.
"And six, seven years ago maybe, WTA was trying to do the same thing but couldn't fit it in the week.
"But I think everyone likes playing in a team. We all love playing for our country.
"Hopman Cup's always been very successful with the men and women so I think if you are going to do it, I think it would be pretty cool to have a combined event.
"I think that would be really exciting if all parties can get together and make that happen."
After a first round bye, top seed Barty is expected to play one of the first matches on Pat Rafter Arena on Thursday.
French Open champion Barty said she wasn't fussed where she started her Brisbane International campaign.
"It doesn't matter what court I play on, they're all the same," she said.
with AAP
