In the debate about short-term cancellations, Berlin’s tournament director Barbara Rittner called for more personal responsibility from tennis professionals.
“What I miss a bit is that they try to inculcate in the players and the management a greater awareness of what’s behind it,” said Rittner at the end of the women’s grass tournament in Berlin. However, the German women’s national coach rejected a penalty system for cancellations.
As an active player, she tried to only register for the tournaments where she really wanted to play. “Sometimes I miss that with the absolute top people or the management, that they act very, very selfishly. It only happens because they are not aware of how much work goes into an event like this.” This is also the responsibility of the women’s professional organization WTA.
Several top players had canceled at short notice for the event in preparation for Wimbledon. Among others, the world number one Iga Swiatek did not compete, the Polish French Open winner stated shoulder problems for her withdrawal. “That happens after such a long tournament, we have no influence on it,” said Rittner.
There have been talks on this topic with the WTA and the men’s counterpart ATP for years, said marketer Edwin Weindorfer. “There can always be injuries, and that has to be respected,” stressed the Austrian. But the point is to introduce a “more transparent system”. “If I go to my family doctor and say: Today my shoulder is itchy. Who can verify that?” He hopes that Swiatek will start in Berlin next year.