WTA Cincinnati: Wildcards for Osaka, Stephens - was that really necessary?
Two days after the closing date for the WTA tournament in Cincinnati, Naomi Osaka and Sloane Stephens have decided to take part with a wildcard. This does not show too much solidarity.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jul 31, 2020, 11:25 am
The problem is well known on the tennis tour: the prize money for participating in one of the four Grand Slam tournaments is so generous that even slightly injured players compete to collect the prizes awarded. The organizers in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York City tried to counteract this by dividing the prize money for round one in half between a canceling, already qualified player and the upcoming Lucky Loser. An act of solidarity.
It would also be in solidarity if a non-entry for an event for which a player would have been eligible to play due to her ranking in the world rankings would not be countered by the fact that this player accepts a wildcard two days later. And thus denies a colleague the chance to pursue her profession.
Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams also get wild cards
This is what happened in Cincinnati: Naomi Osaka as number ten and Sloane Stephens (37) would have had their place in the grid of the tournament, but were apparently unable to confirm their start on Wednesday. A day later, however, apparently found the time and leisure to apply for a wildcard. That was also granted to them.
This means that the tableau receives two Grand Slam Champions in absence of the two leaders of the WTA charts - but the USTA could also have given the wild cards to younger players. On the other hand: This description only fits Caty McNally. The free seats four and five in the tableau went to Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams , who together bring ten majors.