After all, there has been good news for the WTA and its boss Steve Simon in the past few days: With the entry of the Luxembourg private equity company CVC, around 150 million US dollars will be flushed into the coffers of the WTA. In another matter, Simon in particular does not cut a good figure in the opinion of some players: namely in dealing with the Russian attack on Ukraine.

First it was Lesia Tsurenko, who said she suffered panic attacks after a conversation with the WTA boss and was unable to compete in her match against Aryna Sabalenka. Simon told Tsurenko that she shouldn't take it to heart if her Russian or Belarusian opponents think Russia's actions in Ukraine are okay.

Swiatek irritated by Potapova

Then Iga Swiatek came on the scene. Also irritated by the Russian Anastasia Potapova, who ran across the facility in Indian Wells with the jersey of a Moscow football club and posed for photos. That annoyed the world number one. In general, Swiatek would like more support for her Ukrainian colleagues.

When it came to Potapova, Swiatek found open ears. The Russian was warned. However, when it comes to supporting the Ukrainians on the WTA tour, Steve Simon does not see himself as having an obligation.

"We will continue to do everything in our power," Simon told the BBC. “We have already done a lot for our athletes, even if there are different opinions out there. What is happening in Ukraine is repulsive. You definitely can't condone something like that. And neither is what the Russian government is doing.”