Rybakina on the new format: "We're going in the wrong direction".
Before she gave up competing in Rome (ill), Elena Rybakina was asked about the calendar reform implemented by the ATP and WTA. As a reminder, the majority of WTA 1000 and Masters 1000 events are no longer played over 7 but over 12 days, with tables of 92 players.
Like many other players before her, Rybakina made her personal criticism. Indeed, although she finally withdrew from the tournament (thus losing the 1,000 points she earned last year), the world No. 4 agrees with many other professionals (Zverev, Swiatek, Garcia...): this change is a mistake.
As she explained in a press conference: "I'd say it's a long time coming, because it's getting a bit boring to stay in these tournaments for too long. I don't know about that. Maybe it makes sense for Indian Wells and Miami to have this length of time, but to do it at these two events, shortly before Roland Garros... With the new rules, there's no room for manoeuvre, we're forced to take part in too many tournaments. We're going in the wrong direction, there's a lot of room for improvement on the circuit and last year I wasted a lot of energy trying to change things. I realized that it was very difficult to do so, so I'm just going to assume the rules and do my best."
As the criticism continues to rain down, will tennis' governing bodies continue to stay on the same somewhat questionable course for much longer?
Rome 
