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Tennis officials take action over ugly Aussie 'sexism' controversy

australian associated press

Tennis Australia is in advanced talks about the introduction of a WTA Cup amid discontent from women's players who feel they are playing second fiddle to the men this summer.

The inaugural men's ATP Cup has monopolised prime courts at the Queensland Tennis Centre at the expense of the women's Brisbane International this year.

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American Sloane Stephens labelled the situation as "girls to the side".

Australian veteran Sam Stosur also vented her frustration, with ATP Cup group matches played on Pat Rafter Arena and women's matches to outside courts.

The popular Hopman Cup and Sydney International events also made way on the calendar for the new men's tournament.

Craig Tiley, pictured here speaking to the media ahead of the Australian Open.
Craig Tiley speaks to the media ahead of the Australian Open. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

TA chief executive Craig Tiley conceded there will be some growing pains as the body tinkers with the lead-in to the Australian Open.

"We're excited about the future ... this is a transformational and transitional year," Tiley said.

"It's transformational in that we introduced the ATP Cup, which we can see the success of (already), but the women's version is still in the planning stages.

"The players and all of our stakeholders have known that it's a transitional year."

Tiley will meet Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday to talk about a redevelopment of the Queensland Tennis Centre.

There is potential for a new show court to be built.

The TA chief wasn't in a position to put a time frame on the introduction of a WTA Cup, but said talks with the WTA are well advanced.

Nick Kyrgios and Ash Barty, pictured here in Brisbane.
Nick Kyrgios and the ATP Cup has taken priority over Ash Barty and the Brisbane International. Image: Getty

Djokovic backs proposed WTA Cup

Serbian star Novak Djokovic , who has led his country to a 3-0 sweep in Brisbane ahead of Sydney's ATP Cup quarter finals, endorsed the concept.

But he also said there were many moving parts to consider.

"Why not? This kind of format is something that I think (would) bring positive outcomes for the WTA tour," he said.

"That's my opinion ... I don't know the numbers and how it affects their schedule, but it would make sense."

He said the men's team event had merit, but that, ideally, it would be combined for a "super cup" with the Davis Cup, which was held in Madrid in November.

"It's really exhausting for players ... I saw (Rafael) Nadal speaking about it the other day, saying he doesn't feel like the last season has ended," Djokovic said.

"It can be balanced a little better ... but it takes a lot of effort because there are a lot of different sides vested in tennis.

"You have to sit at a table and try and work things out, which isn't the easiest thing."