Former world number one Renae Stubbs believes tennis ‘needs’ a commissioner after the decision to play the Cincinnati Masters final on a Monday.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were poised to do battle for a fourth time this year in the final.
Alcaraz consoled Sinner after the Cincinnati final endedGettyHowever, what was set to become yet another enthralling battle between the two ended in sad fashion as Sinner retired before the first set was even complete.
“I’m super, super sorry to disappoint you,” Sinner told the crowd in Cincinnati.
“From yesterday I didn’t feel great. I thought I would improve during the night. It came up worse.
“I tried to come out and make it at least a small match but I couldn’t handle more. I’m very, very sorry for all of you.”
For Alcaraz, the short match means he will be far fresher than he perhaps anticipated for the revamped US Open mixed doubles, where he will partner up with close pal Emma Raducanu.
However, Sinner’s retirement from Cincinnati has placed his participation in the event alongside Katerina Siniakova in serious doubt.
What was Renae Stubbs’ verdict on the Cincinnati Masters scheduling?
Regardless of the outcome in Cincinnati, Stubbs, a six-time grand slam champion in women’s and mixed doubles, blasted the decision to schedule a final of a major event so close to the start of the US Open mixed doubles.
The 54-year-old, who previously coached tennis great Serena Williams, also felt the tight scheduling would not have pleased US Open organisers either.
“A Monday final is just ABSOLUTELY BONKERS,” Stubbs wrote on X.
“@atptour @WTA I’m sure the @usopen isn’t happy about it either.
Stubbs (left) couldn’t believe how tight the turnaround was from Cincinnati to New YorkGetty“Detracting from fan week and possibly the mixed doubles tournament they’ve put a lot of money into and that fans have paid to see with those names.
“Tennis really needs a commish!”
As Stubbs noted, the US Open has poured a significant amount of funds into the mixed doubles in a bid to attract more fans.
Last year, winning duo Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori pocketed just $200,000 (£150,000).
That figure has been bumped up significantly, with the victors of this year’s event set to take home $1m (£750,000).
To put that into context, the prize money for the winning duo is more than a men’s or women’s player in the singles draw would get for reaching the round of 16 at Flushing Meadows.
Alcaraz will be fit and fresh for the US Open mixed doublesGettySinner, if he is fit, and Siniakova will begin their US Open mixed doubles campaign against Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic on Tuesday at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
As for Alcaraz and Raducanu, they face top-seeded pairing Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday as well.
Hence then, the article about serena williams former coach proposes major change to tennis after bonkers decision angered us open was published today ( ) and is available on talksport ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Serena Williams’ former coach proposes major change to tennis after bonkers decision angered US Open )
Also on site :