© Getty Images Sport – Hector Vivas
Maria Sakkari and Caroline Garcia rejected Elena Rybakina’s claim that the players were not aware of the performance bye rule used for this part of the season. After Rybakina missed the top-4 seeding in Tokyo, she called the WTA. “Thanks for changing the rules [at the] last minute.
Great decisions as always @wta,” Rybakina wrote on her Instagram Story over the weekend. Sakkari, who won in Guadalajara last week and received the third-seeding in Tokyo, denied the claim. “It’s not a new rule, I think it’s been in place for about 14 years, and that’s exactly what happened.
However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this rule has been temporarily lifted. However, in the past, this performance bye was also used in Beijing. We already know the fact that there will be a performance bye since the tournament will be held from Mexico to Tokyo for about 5 months.
I was informed that the performance byes will also be applicable for travel from Tokyo to Beijing,” said Sakkari.
Sakkari, Garcia rejected Rybakina’s claim
Garcia, who was defeated by Sakkari in the semifinals in Guadalajara, also benefited from the performance bye rule and received the fourth-seeding in Tokyo.
“It’s a long journey from Mexico to Japan, and considering the time difference, you lose two days. I think this rule is necessary because we have to continue playing under such conditions.In the past, it was also adopted by Beijing and Wuhan.
We already know that there will be a performance bye in this tournament. It informed us, and I think it’s important to keep our rhythm going,” said Garcia. After the WTA call, Rybakina left Tokyo on Monday.
In a statement released, Rybakina said she “puts my health and fitness first.” Later, Rybakina clarified on her Instagram Story that her withdrawal from Tokyo had nothing to do with her disillusionment with the WTA.