WTA Drama, Feuding Increasing Is Good For Business

By Scoop Malinowski

Lately there has been a healthy uptick in WTA drama, controversy and feuding. And it’s the best thing to happen in the sport in years.

First it was Danielle Collins confronting Iga Swiatek on the court straight to her face, unleashing a verbal tirade attack on the world no. 1 player about her bathroom breaks and stalling tactics.

Then it was Emma Navarro getting in Qinwen Zheng’s face after losing to her at the Olympics, aggressively verbally chastising the Chinese woman for not showing her or other player’s proper respect in the locker room.

This week another interesting feud emerged when former Wimbledon finalist Genie Bouchard mocked billionaire Jess Pegula’s Saturday US Open final loss to Aryna Sabalenka on social media: “Money can’t buy a US Open final. LOL.”

So that’s three major, high profile WTA spats in about the last month. All three incidents have garnered enormous buzz and commentary from tennis fans. Before these three episodes, I can’t even think of the last time there was a notable or memorable clash of egos in women’s tennis. Coco Gauff is a fine player but her perfect image personality is almost agony to endure.

Everything in the WTA has been perfectly harmonious, everybody gets along perfectly and everybody hopes for the best for everyone and their teams. That’s all good and sweet but it’s terribly boring. To see a player speech or interview praising the opponent and their teams and all that baloney is so fake and scripted – it’s basically the same script for every player – it’s enough to make people turn the channel or turn their attention elsewhere. Tennis is all about figuring out how to beat opponents and exploiting their weaknesses. It’s a dog eat dog world and if you don’t win matches, you don’t get paid. “Tennis is a vicious sport,” as former ATP player Michael Redlicki said.

The behavior of Collins, Navarro, and now Bouchard is just the spark the WTA needs to make things more interesting and intriguing. Tennis is one on one warfare mental and physical and that needs to be emphasized more. Phony, scripted speeches and interviews are good for images and sponsors but not for overall business.

You disagree? Then imagine where pro wrestling would be if everyone acted the same and they all kissed each other’s you know what. Pro wrestling would be dead. And with Pickleball and Padel emerging and growing, the WTA and ATP need a big breath of fresh air and energy.

The time has come for the WTA to encourage and support players to be themselves and express how they really feel. Navarro, Collins, Bouchard… time for many others to step up and keep it real.

Danielle Collins · Emma Navarro · Genie Bouchard · Iga Swiatek · Qinwen Zheng · WTA

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