WTA chief ‘excited’ about restart, but insists ‘we will not hesitate to shut down’ if it’s unsafe

It is all systems go for the resumption of women’s tennis and WTA chief executive Steve Simon hopes the first three events will create a pathway for the way forward for tennis, but warns they won’t hesitate to pull the plug if they “don’t like what’s happening”.
Tennis will finally resume in less than a fortnight following a five-month enforced hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic with the Palermo Open scheduled to get things going again from August 3-9.
“I’d say there’s definitely an excitement to get back to doing what we love,” Simon told Reuters via video call.
“Obviously there’s been a lot of hard work that’s been done by the tournament promoters as well as the team to get us to this stage. So we’re going into this with great hopes.
“And hopefully we’ve found a solution that will allow tennis to operate in this environment.”
Two-time Grand Slam winner Simona Halep, world No 14 Johanna Konta and world No 15 Petra Martic are among the players who will compete in Palermo.
‘Exceptional news’ for Palermo Open as Simona Halep signs up for WTA’s comeback event
The WTA Tour will then move to the Czech Republic and the United States for the Prague Open and the inaugural Top Seed Open in Kentucky respectively.
He continued: “I think our first three events — Palermo, Prague and Lexington — will certainly create that pathway for us.
“Those three tournaments are going to happen unless we should receive a last-minute issue from the government or local medical officials.”
Flushing Meadows in New York will then host the Cincinnati Masters and the US Open, but Simon admits they faced a lot of difficult questions with regards to the restart.
And although they are happy with the answers they have come up with, he insists they will not hesitate to make tough decisions should things not go as planned.
“Where we got to was, unless everybody can travel nobody plays? Or do we try to find opportunities for all of those that can play and feel comfortable playing?” Simon said.
“And we got to the balance: We should be trying to get as many jobs and as many opportunities for as many people as we can to continue our sport.
“Obviously, if we don’t think the balance is right or we think the conditions have changed and it’s not safe, (or) we don’t like what’s happening due to the challenges we have, we will not hesitate to shut down.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Andrey Rublev expects ‘fun’ match against ‘true legend’ Andy Murray as Scot praises Russian’s work ethic
Andrey Rublev and Andy Murray sing each other’s praises.
-
ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas explains how change in mindset helped him to turn things around in Rotterdam opener
Stefanos Tsitsipas shows some fight in Rotterdam win.
-
News
Andy Murray set for Rotterdam second-round clash with world No 8 Andrey Rublev
Murray and Rublev’s only other meeting was in 2017.
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic unlikely to return to action before clay season as there ‘is no need to take any risks’
Novak Djokovic unlikely to feature at the Miami Open.
-
Tennis Top 10
Top 10 oldest No 1 ATP players: Novak Djokovic now the second oldest No 1, but will he catch Roger Federer?
Roger Federer currently holds the record.
-
Australian Open
Goran Ivanisevic slams media for ‘thrashing’ Novak Djokovic, rating 2021 Australian Open as his ‘sweetest’
Goran Ivanisevic takes aim at the media.
-
WTA Tour
Ashleigh Barty pulls out of Dubai tournament, but hopes to defend Miami Open title
Ashleigh Barty won’t be travelling to the Middle East.
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer to skip Miami Open as he opts to ‘slowly work his way back’ following injury
Roger Federer won’t feature at the Miami Open.
-
ATP Tour
‘I’m playing for my career’ – Honest Andy Murray admits retirement question is lingering
Andy Murray fought back to beat Robin Haase in Rotterdam.
-
News
Andy Murray hits back to win first round match against Robin Haase in Rotterdam
The former world No 1 finished strongly.