Share

Stephens blasts Brisbane organisers over 'respect' for women players

Brisbane - Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens on Tuesday blasted organisers of this week's Brisbane International, accusing them of favouring the male players and not respecting the women.

The WTA tournament is being run alongside the Brisbane leg of the men's inaugural ATP Cup, which has monopolised the centre court of the Queensland Tennis Centre since it began on Friday.

The ATP Cup's last round-robin matches in Brisbane will be played on Wednesday, meaning women's matches will be relegated to the outside courts until Thursday.

While most women's players have been reluctant to comment on their treatment this year, Stephens, who is on the WTA players' council, was not so reticent.

"I think there's been a lot of challenges just because it's a new event, combined with the girls, whatever, there's definitely been some challenges," she said.

"I think that when you're a number one player in the world who is going to play on the side court, I don't think that that's great. I think it's kind of a respect thing."

Australia's world No 1 Ashleigh Barty heads a high-quality field at the WTA Brisbane which includes four of the women's top five.

But Stephens, speaking after her first round loss to Russia's Liudmila Samsonova, said the women had been sidelined in favour of the men.

"We just weren't in the conversation to even be considered," she said.

"It was what the ATP wanted - they got what they wanted, girls to the side, that's kind of how it always is."

Stephens added: "I think, obviously, business is business.

"Their priority was the ATP Cup. I just feel like in general there could have been some things done differently."

Results from matches played on the second day of the WTA Brisbane International at the Queensland Tennis Centre on Tuesday (x denotes seed):

Round 1

Madison Keys (USA x8) bt Marie Bouzkova (CZE) 6-3, 6-2

Liudmila Samsonova (RUS) bt Sloane Stephens (USA) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3

Yulia Putinseva (KAZ) bt Donna Vekic (CRO) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5

Naomi Osaka (JPN x3) bt Maria Sakkari (GRE) 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 

Anett Kontaveit (EST) bt Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE) 6-4, 6-1

Kiki Bertens (NED x6) bt Dayana Yastremska (UKR) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE