It appears that the WTA Tour is divided after they have been called out by a former world number one.
It has been a quieter week in tennis after the US Open, but there have still been two WTA tournaments taking place.
The Guadalajara Open was particularly significant, as American teenager Iva Jovic won her first WTA title at 17 years of age.
Competition has continued after the culmination of the Grand Slam season, with a returning former world number one not holding back on what she thinks about her fellow WTA players.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty ImagesKarolina Pliskova criticises WTA players as she claims they are ‘always complaining’
That player is Karolina Pliskova, who has just won her first match in over a year after returning from a serious ankle injury.
Pliskova is trying to ease her way back into competition at the lower-level WTA 125 event, but she is certainly not holding back on her opinions.
When speaking to Flashscore, Pliskova was asked about the frequent criticism of the tennis calendar, but she actually responded by suggesting that she thinks it is better than it has been previously.
The Czech then went on to call out WTA players in particular, pointing out the prize money that they now receive is higher than before.
“I think it’s the same, if not better, than it used to be,” said Pliskova. “I know how there used to be a lot of travel. There was the Fed Cup [Billie Jean King Cup] three times a year, which doesn’t take as much time now either
“Recently, an older tennis player was telling me that right after the US Open, they used to go to the Davis Cup, which was played in five sets. And the girls? I feel like they’re just always complaining, but I don’t know what for. They’re also paid more than they’ve ever been paid.”
It is not just WTA players that have been critical of this issue, with Carlos Alcaraz also calling out the tennis calendar.
While Aryna Sabalenka made $5million after winning the US Open as men and women receive the same prize money at Grand Slams, there is still a disparity at some tour-level events.
Karolina Pliskova says what she disagrees with about the tennis calendar
Despite claiming that tennis players complain too much about the tennis calendar, Pliskova then spoke about something she is not a fan of.
Two week ATP/WTA 1000 level tournaments have become a big feature on tour in recent years, but Pliskova is not a fan of them.
“Yes, they’ve made some two-week tournaments, but I feel like it’s just killing time,” said Pliskova. “Everybody’s training anyway, they’re on their feet. It’s not like you take a week off. So I don’t really agree with that.”
Pliskova is not the only person to make this complaint, with Alexander Zverev claiming no-one likes two week Masters 1000 tournaments.
Pliskova then spoke about how tennis has changed throughout her time on the WTA Tour, and claimed that she thinks world number one Sabalenka is the only player she thinks is a ‘certainty’ to make it past the first three rounds at Grand Slams.
“I don’t like to compare different seasons,” added Pliskova. “But yes, before, for example, at the Grand Slam, it was clear that the first three rounds, the leading player easily passed, the elite ten were bounced.
“Now maybe only Sabalenka has that certainty. It’s just more competitive; the tennis is more physical. There are some 120 girls today who can beat anyone in the top 10. They all try hard, they have teams around them, fitness coaches, everything.”
Pliskova is looking to build herself back up to the top level on the WTA Tour, and has revealed her plans to return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open.