Aryna Sabalenka recently won her maiden Grand Slam victory of 2018 against American hopeful Amanda Anisimova at New York. Since US Open and subsequent Asian tournaments, WTA Finals, and Billie Jean King Cup events, notable player withdrawals such as Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys opting out have taken center stage, prompting further discussion and speculation as the season nears completion.
Jose Morgado highlighted the withdrawal of several key players from the Billie Jean King Cup tournament – Osaka, Keys and Zheng Qinwen were expected to miss due to recent surgery – sparking concern about its allure and competitive balance among fans and observers alike.
Osaka, Keys and Zheng (this one expected) all out of the BJK Cup Finals. Initial line ups were great. Not as much anymore.
Emma Raducanu has also decided to skip the Billie Jean King Cup Finals to participate in the Korea Open, a move aimed at securing her return to the top echelons of the WTA rankings. Meanwhile, China’s leading player and Olympic gold medalist, Zheng Qinwen, confirmed her withdrawal from the finals in Shenzhen due to recovery from elbow surgery, adding to the tournament’s challenges.
The departure of prominent players like Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys significantly dilutes the tournament’s star power, leaving fans adjusting their expectations. Nonetheless, participants such as Jasmine Paolini, Jessica Pegula, and Elena Rybakina ensure that competition remains high. Great Britain’s captain, Anne Keothavong, has pointed out the tough scheduling decisions players face, emphasizing the systemic pressures rather than individual choices.
The Davis Cup is similarly feeling the effects of a compact tennis calendar, with stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton withdrawing after the US Open, reflecting on the balancing act players must perform between personal achievements and the continuous tour demands.
Impact on Davis Cup Post-US Open
Following two long weeks at the US Open, many top players are opting out of participating in Davis Cup qualifiers en masse. Carlos Alcaraz highlighted this fact during his speech at US Open championship; noting its intense nature and importance of cherishing wins as his reason. As such, this situation leaves teams such as USA and Spain to cope with these high-profile absences that raises serious doubts regarding its prestige and appeal for future competitions.
Due to a dearth of key players, both Billie Jean King and Davis Cups face difficulty maintaining their significance and excitement among a crowded tennis calendar, possibly jeopardizing fan engagement and diminishing their esteemed statuses.