Joined
·
184 Posts
Like a lot of people, I was shocked to read of the move back to Eastbourne in 2017. It means that tennis above challenger level in the UK is confined to a tiny area of the South East of England. For me and other disabled fans it means the loss of the only fully wheelchair accessible tournament in this country.
It seems that at least part of the reason is that the Eastbourne WTA tournament lost money last year and needs to be boosted by ATP fans to make it viable. To me that implied the influence of
money men' over the needs of the sport.
A few days ago I read a FB post by Udomchoke saying that the Players' Council fought hard to keep it in Nottingham with only Wawrinka being in favour of the move but Kermode over ruled them. It seems that the players don't like joint tournaments and fought against the creation of another one.
I contacted another member of the Players' Council who confirmed this and added that Wimbledon and the LTA are pushing for the move. I understand the LTA wanting to keep the WTA tournament viable but what has it got to do with Wimbledon.
It is about money, I think, but it feels as if power is being used wrongly and unfairly does anyone know anything?
I also wonder whether Murray's comments about equal prize money and equality might play a part.
I am not into conspiracy theories, just trying to work it out. Does anyone know anything!
It seems that at least part of the reason is that the Eastbourne WTA tournament lost money last year and needs to be boosted by ATP fans to make it viable. To me that implied the influence of
money men' over the needs of the sport.
A few days ago I read a FB post by Udomchoke saying that the Players' Council fought hard to keep it in Nottingham with only Wawrinka being in favour of the move but Kermode over ruled them. It seems that the players don't like joint tournaments and fought against the creation of another one.
I contacted another member of the Players' Council who confirmed this and added that Wimbledon and the LTA are pushing for the move. I understand the LTA wanting to keep the WTA tournament viable but what has it got to do with Wimbledon.
It is about money, I think, but it feels as if power is being used wrongly and unfairly does anyone know anything?
I also wonder whether Murray's comments about equal prize money and equality might play a part.
I am not into conspiracy theories, just trying to work it out. Does anyone know anything!