"Trying to reap as much $ as possible": Serena Williams' ex-coach blasts French Open's ticketing policy for Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev's SF wins
Serena Williams' former coach Rennae Stubbs has expressed her disapproval of the French Open's ticketing policy for Carlos Alcaraz's clash against Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev's showdown with Casper Ruud in the semifinals of the claycourt Major.
On Day 13 of the Major, Alcaraz and Sinner engaged in a closely contested battle for a spot in the Roland Garros final, with the Spaniard eking out a 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory in four hours and 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Zverev set up a blockbuster title clash against the World No. 3 by beating Casper Ruud 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
On the women's side, Iga Swiatek continued her quest for a three-peat at the French Open by claiming a commanding 6-2, 6-4 win over Coco Gauff in the semifinals on Day 12. Jasmine Paolini joined the World No. 1 in the final by breezing past Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-1.
As the men's semifinals concluded, Rennae Stubbs took to social media and called out the French Tennis Federation and the French Open for charging separate tickets for the singles semifinal matches, despite both taking place in the same day session for both the men's and women's events.
The Australian accused the tournament officials of attempting to financially exploit the spectators and suggested that she would only condone this arrangement if the profits were split with the players.
"FFT are ticketing the semis separately?!! So if u want both matches that are back 2 back, u gotta pay!? WHAT?! On the same day session!? they really are trying to reap as much $ as possible out of this tourney. Now i would be ok with that if they split it 50/50 with the players," she posted on X.
Stubbs hasn't shied away from criticizing the management of the French Open. On Day 10 of the claycourt Major, the 53-year-old expressed her discontent with the schedule amid the long "waiting" time for Jannik Sinner's quarterfinal showdown against Grigor Dimitrov.
The Italian's match against Dimitrov took place in the night session, following Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff's wins during the day.
"A suggestion…. I’m here at home WAITING for the other men’s quarter finals to start! Hours & hours of a break in play! How about we start the men’s at noon, followed by all the rest of the matches back to back! This night thing is not ideal at all! And i DONT LIKE IT! Ok bye," she posted.
"The ability of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner is unreal" - Rennae Stubbs on duo's 'awesome' French Open SF
Amid her dismay regarding the French Open's ticketing policy for the semifinals, Rennae Stubbs also took the time to praise the "unreal" skills on display in Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner's clash.
"This match and the ability of this dudes is unreal. Hitting the ball so hard. Average FH 76mph from Carlos and Sinner 81mph. Just awesome," she posted on X.
However, not everyone was impressed with the quality of the match, with many arguing that Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic would have easily defeated the Spaniard or Sinner if they had played against either.
Patrick McEnroe shut down these "nonsense" claims, asserting that anyone who believed that an injured Djokovic or an out-of-form Nada could beat Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner lacked any knowledge of the sport.
"Please… Enough with the nonsense on here that current Rafa or an injured Novak would beat Sinner/Alcaraz easily today… You really have absolutely ZERO CLUE," Patrick McEnroe posted.
Stubbs endorsed McEnroe's statement, resharing his post on social media to signal her support.