Iga Swiatek calls out WTA Finals over 'embarrassing' scenes
World No.1 Iga Swiatek has called for more energy in the crowd at the WTA Finals a day after her match was played out in front of a small crowd.
Swiatek defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 6-3 in her first round WTA Finals match at Fort Worth, Texas.
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However, Swiatek took notice of the crowd attendance and alluded to the match a day prior.
The lack of fans in attendance for America Jessica Pegula's match against Maria Sakkari on Monday had tennis experts concerned.
Pegula, America's No.1 ranked player at the moment, has a real chance to take the title in Fort Worth.
However, the lack of spectators at the event prompted commentators and fans to condemn the 'embarrassing' scenes.
There did appear to be more fans watching Swiatek starting her campaign.
And the Polish star was dominant to mark her first win.
However, even the World No.1 pointed out the lack of atmosphere was noticeable on court.
"Hopefully we are going to see a full house soon, but yeah," a perplexed Swiatek said in her post-match interview.
American sensation Coco Gauff also walked out with large portions of the stadium empty, but the crowd attendance had improved.
Regardless, this prompted the tennis world to once again question the spectacle for what is the final big event in the WTA calendar.
"Hopefully we’re going to see a full house soon....I really like taking energy from the crowd"
Iga Swiatek lobbying for fewer empty seats in Fort Worth— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) November 1, 2022
Gauff-Garcia getting the biggest crowd of the WTA Finals so far.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) November 2, 2022
I yet again see crowd numbers in Fort Worth are beyond tragic 🙃
— Foot Fault Tennis (@footfaulttennis) November 1, 2022
I'm not sure sticking what crowd that is at the WTA finals in the first 5 rows either end of the court is helping as every time there is a court level replay you can then just see rows upon rows of completely empty seats above them.
— Sammy (@Sammyb01) November 1, 2022
#WTAFinals is low energy.
World #1 on court and I don’t think it’s even at half capacity— Deirdre Smith (@Deirdre926) November 1, 2022
@iga_swiatek WINNER! #WTAFinals @WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/3CnvbKjwPw
— Craig DeSaussure (@CraigDeSaussure) November 1, 2022
Tennis world erupts over WTA Finals numbers
A day earlier, there were farcical scenes when Pegula's clash with Sakkari commenced in a mostly empty arena, with only a handful of spectators in attendance.
There were only a few hundred spectators scattered around the stands at the outset, leaving thousands of empty grey seats.
The court side radar readouts also initially displayed serve speeds in kilometres per hour instead of the more US-friendly miles per hour, which was quickly changed.
Crowd for the first singles match of the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, featuring US's #1 Jess Pegula. pic.twitter.com/QRbyFrepfJ
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 31, 2022
They should do combined event with ATP finals... This is embarassing for WTA
— Alessandro 🎾 (@alevilla1978) October 31, 2022
Reigning US and French Open champion Iga Swiatek is seeking her ninth WTA title of the year and her 12th career crown at the WTA Finals.
The $5 million indoor hardcourt event will feature the world's eight top-ranked women's singles players and doubles teams with group-stage matches through Saturday setting up semi-finals on November 6 with the title matches on November 7.
An unbeaten run to the singles crown is worth $1.68 million, but after making her Finals debut last year, Swiatek knows it's a unique challenge compared to the usual WTA tournaments.
with AAP
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