The US Open told they are ‘disrespectful’ as Alex Eala is given bigger court than former champion
Alex Eala is at the heart of scheduling controversy at the US Open this year.
Eala is one of the biggest stars in tennis right now, with the Filipina having a huge fanbase wherever she plays.
As a result, the world number 18 is often scheduled onto the bigger courts at tournaments, with Eala on Louis Armstrong Stadium, which is the second biggest court at the US Open, for her first round match.
Eala will be on Louis Armstrong Stadium again for her second round match in New York, but some tennis fans are not happy after it was confirmed that a former US Open champion would be on a smaller court.
Tennis fans criticise the US Open after Iga Swiatek is scheduled on a smaller court than Alex Eala
The schedule for day five of the main draw of this year’s US Open features many top WTA players including Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova, Naomi Osaka and Eala.
As former US Open champions, both Gauff and Osaka have been scheduled on to the Arthur Ashe Stadium for their respective second round matches against Paula Badosa and Katerina Siniakova.
However, while Eala and Rybakina are on Louis Armstrong Stadium, 2022 US Open champion Swiatek has been scheduled on Grandstand, which is the third biggest stadium.
Some tennis fans have criticised the US Open for this decision, calling the tournament ‘disrespectful’ to Swiatek for giving Eala preference.
One person wrote on X, “Eala on Louis Armstrong and not former No.1 and US Open winner Iga Swiatek or Amanda Anisimova who not only is American but also last year’s finalist, this is laughable I’m sorry. No other tournament is this disrespectful.”
Another added, “Iga is a six-time major champ, only active player to win slam on every surface, seventh most weeks at No.1 in the HISTORY of the sport, 12 1000 titles, longest win streak of 21st century, THE MOST successful player of this generation and can’t get a show court over 500 title winner Eala.”
Someone else said, “No I think it’s disrespectful. I kind of get why but I don’t agree. On the other hand Grandstand might have better atmosphere anyway.”
Another social media user said, “Mind blowing to realize Alex gets the second biggest court/stadium over Swiatek, Anisimova, [Madison] Keys and [Mirra] Andreeva.”
The criticism for the US Open continued, “Since when does winning a single WTA 500 tournament mean more than six Grand Slam titles? (clown emoji).”
“Where is six-time grand slam champion, US Open 2022 champion?”
“Not putting Iga, Amanda, Keys, or Mirra on main courts is so weird.”
“Where is Iga?? Seriously??”
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While there was a lot of backlash for the US Open’s scheduling, others understood the decision and jumped to the defence of Eala.
One person said, “Why does it seem like everyone is pointing out Alex as if he’s the one at fault, that his game will be played in the stadium? Ask the director or the organizer. It’s very simple. Not in this way, as if you’re blaming also the other players.”
Others wrote, “Says a lot about the star power of WTA that Swiatek, Anisimova, Keys, and Andreeva could all very reasonably headline either of these courts but instead are going to be spilling all the way down to Stadium 17. We’re in a damn fun era.”
“Getting upset with Eala on a show court makes zero sense, she sells lots of tickets and the US Open is a business. Simple as that.”
Why Iga Swiatek may not be happy about her court scheduling
Swiatek may not be bothered about playing on Grandstand in principle, but there may be something that could frustrate her about this court scheduling.
The first week of the main draw at the US Open has been heavily disrupted by rain delays, which is set to continue over the next couple of days at the New York.
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However, only Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium have roofs, meaning that Swiatek’s matches could be delayed and disrupted by rain delays.
This is far from ideal for a player like Swiatek, who will be hoping to contend for her second US Open title and any disruption could damage those chances, especially when there is such stiff competition in the women’s singles draw this year.
The positive for Swiatek is that her second round match against Nadia Podoroska is first on the schedule, when rain is both less likely to happen on the weather forecast and also means she has the whole day for her match to be completed.
