Italian Open 2023: a very late women’s final

The Italian Open has come under fire from the tennis world for what it sees as a new lack of respect for women's tennis.

The WTA 1000 women’s final kicked off at nearly midnight on Saturday night. It was originally planned at 19:00, however, due to continued rain delays the final started at 23:00.

So why is the Italian Open under fire?

The Roma Open officials are under fire for not postponing the event to Sunday.

French tennis women, Alizet Cornet, has spoken up via a tweet.

"A little sad to see that the women's final of one of the biggest @WTA events of the season is starting at 11 p.m. Nobody in the stands of course"

"Not really cool for both players to start such an important match so late. Why not put both men's and women's finals tomorrow (on Sunday)?"

As well as Australian Rennae Stubbs:

“What the hell is going on with this presentation? Also the fact that the women are playing a final of a 1000 (event) at midnight is an abomination”.

This comes after the previous Masters 1000 event, in Madrid, also faced heavy criticism.

Former world number three Pam Shriver has also made the comparison, stating: “These two WTA 1000s Madrid and Rome have been fiascos for women’s tennis. There are no excuses but many reasons for the fiascos. »

WTA defends the tournament

But the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has since comes to Italian Open’s defence. They claimed that weather complications are out of one’s control.

“It’s not the desire of the event nor the WTA to see a match go on as late as it did, but it was the right thing to do”

“We congratulate both players on a great effort in Rome and wish Anhelina a quick recovery for the upcoming fortnight at Roland Garros and Elena continued success.” (Reuters)