"Fuming Aryna Sabalenka Considers BOYCOTT After 'Ridiculous Comment' Leaves Her Uncertain About Tournament"

ARYNA SABALENKA has threatened to boycott a tennis tournament after a “ridiculous” comment from a director.

The star made the comments about the Tennis Championships.

was a late pullout from the tournament, which left director Salah Tahlak fuming.

He argued last-minute withdrawals should result in punishment for players, including fines and deducted ranking points.

Tahlak said: “There should be a harsher punishment on the players.

“Not just fines, they should be docked ranking points.”

Women’s No1 Sabalenka fired back, saying: “It’s ridiculous. I don’t think he showed himself in the best way possible.

“For me, it’s actually so sad to see that the tournament directors and the tournaments are not protecting us as players.

“They just care about their sales, about their tournament and that’s it. His comment was ridiculous.

“I’m not sure if I ever want to go there after his comment. For me it’s too much.”

Sabalenka, 27, had also pulled out of the Open before winning Indian Wells last weekend.

Her decision to withdraw came down to wanting to remain fit during a “crazy” period in the schedule.

She added: “Going into this season, we decided we were going to prioritise my and make sure that we have these little gaps in the schedule where I can just reset, recharge, work and be better prepared for bigger tournaments.

“Scheduling is going crazy and that’s why you see so many players are injured, always taped and not delivering the best quality matches because it’s almost impossible.”

The world’s top players are obliged to compete in all four Grand Slams, 10 WTA 1000 tournaments and six WTA 500 events under WTA rules.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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