Ashleigh Barty world number 1 may not defend his WTA Finals title in Mexico because of the ridiculous playing conditions at the venue and timing of the season-ending tournament, claims his coach, Craig Tyzzer.
The WTA Finals, featuring the best eight players and eight pairs across a season, were moved to Guadalajara, Mexico from Shenzhen this week due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will kick off on November 8.
Tyzzer stated that his protégé, who won the 2019 WTA Finals before the 2020 edition was cancelled, may also have to compromise his preparations for the 2022 Australian Open if he plays in Guadalajara as he will have to quarantine for two weeks when he returns to his home in Australia.
“We just found out that the venue in Mexico is 1,500 above sea level and they will be using a ball that has less pressure,” Tyzzer said.
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“A ball like that will definitely fly. If you use the ball like that under normal conditions, the ball will not bounce. It’s not an impressive offer for the world’s best women to play something they’ve never done before.”
“In conditions they’ve never played in, in a country that doesn’t play much tennis, and the height of the venue, I find it ridiculous. As a spectator, it was scary.”
“The tournament at Indian Wells next month is still on our radar, but he needs a break. So I told him to take a vacation.”
“For sure, it’s not easy for us to go there and play that season-ending tournament in Mexico, then come back, and have to go through two weeks of quarantine, so your summer in Australia will be a mess. It’s a situation we have to discuss properly.”
In 2019, Australian Barty qualified for the WTA Finals after an impressive season, including winning her first career Grand Slam title at the French Open. Ashleigh Barty beat defending champion Elina Svitolina before taking home the WTA Finals title. The 2020 season edition which was supposed to be held in Shenzhen had to be canceled after the COVID-19 pandemic was still rampant.
