Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️☀️
Today’s tennis mood: Happy and concerned for the WTA, and hoping FAA gets what he needs.
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
🎾 On tap: In Beijing and Tokyo, the men and women are wrapping up the second round today. In Beijing, that means we’re seeing the remaining WTA seeds who had a bye in the first round. In action today: Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Andrey Rublev, among others. More on that below.
🎾 Prize money promise: The WTA is making good on a promise it made in 2023 — that it would have equal prize money at the 1000-level events where men and women play together.
What they said: “Achieving equal prize money across all combined WTA 1000 tournaments is a major milestone for tennis,” WTA chair Valerie Camillo said. “It demonstrates the WTA’s continued commitment to leading the sports industry in delivering our athletes competitive and financial equality and is a testament to the enduring nature of the founding vision of the WTA.”
The concern: It’s admirable and important that the WTA kept its word on this promise. However, if the WTA is as cash-strapped as reported, to the point of possibly running out of funds next year, what kind of impact will this have?
Reality check: Equal prize money was already in place at most tournaments. It’s doubtful that completing the promise is the thing that sinks this ship. I suppose we’ll find out. And I hope it’s not the hard way.
🎾 One to watch: Jelena Ostapenko vs. Paula Badosa (2nd round - WTA 1000 - Beijing: Watch this one for the drama, and because nearly every time they play, it’s a battle.
The record: Jelena Ostapenko leads the head-to-head record over Paula Badosa 3-2.
On the line: Ostapenko has won only a single match since Wimbledon and would like to get that turned around. Meanwhile, it’s the opposite for Paula Badosa, who was on the verge of ending her career not so long ago. Since Wimbledon, she’s jumped up 100 spots after some strong performances at the 125 and 250 levels. Now it’s time to test her performance at a WTA 1000.
🎾 🏆 🎤 YOUR CALL
(Yesterday’s poll results: 75% of you called for Arthur Fils to defeat Frances Tiafoe. Fils won 6-3, 7-5.)
And that’s game.
