John McEnroe wants WTA schedule rolled back
According to veteran tennis player John McEnroe, there should me some amendments in the WTA schedule or in other words, the schedule should be scaled back. The reason John McEnroe gave for his suggestion is that according to him women tennis players could not handle the physical and mental aspects of the game.
McEnroe said, “They shouldn’t be playing as many events as the men… The women have it better in tennis than in any other sport, thanks to Billie Jean King (who has pushed equal prize money for women). But you shouldn’t push them to play more than they’re capable of”.
McEnroe is a four-time U.S. Open champion and currently a TV analyst. He made the comments on Thursday during a CBS Sports conference call, which was meant to address the network’s coverage of the U.S. Open, which begins on Monday.
“I think that it's asking too much of the women. They shouldn't be playing as many events as the men. ... You shouldn't push them to play more than they're capable of”, said McEnroe.
McEnroe said that the women are dealing with expectations they have for themselves. He said that the game has increased its demands as the sport has evolved. According to John McEnroe, women should be required in fewer events and there should be fewer events for the women. He said that there should be proper changes in the schedule before women quit the game altogether, therefore it is a time to realize and the schedule should be changed.
McEnroe is concerned with women’s health and mental capabilities. He wants to provide space to the women players, so that the expectations they have for themselves could be fulfilled. He explained his idea by giving examples of some tennis stars. He said that Kim Clijsters, who is the defending U.S. Open Champion, took two years to recover from some nagging injuries. Similarly, Justin Hennin took 19 months off due to her elbow injury suffered at Wimbledon.
Fellow analyst, Mary Carillo, who works for both ESPN and CBS, counters McEnroe’s views. She said that “Monica Seles was as mentally tough as anyone I've ever seen -- man or woman, Steffi Graf. Chrissy [Evert] and Martina [Navratilova]. ... They stayed so fit mentally and physically for so long because they wanted it for so long. To say we're asking too much of women, I don't see it”.
The statement given by Mary Carillo, shows that she is interested in women playing more games and taking part in more events. She considers the tennis players equal whether they are men or women. While giving the example of Monica Seles, she explained her views that all women are mentally tough and could bear any kind of pressure. She said that all women are physically fit because they want to play and want to stay in the tennis world. Mary Carillo, explained that we are not asking too much of women, and considers all the players equal.
She said that she hates the idea that all should judge women on a curve. She added that there have been so many great women champions, the phrase ‘it’s too much for them’ is totally wrong and should not be used for any woman because it’s the insult to the tennis player.
Stacey Allaster, who is the commissioner of the WTA tour, told the Los Angeles Times that John McEnroe is a senior player and entitled to his opinion. She said, whereas Venus Williams is concerned, she is above 30 and very careful with her body, because she wants to continue to play.
Stacey Allaster while giving interview said that the WTA schedule is perfect and needs no amendments. She said that all the players are fit and looking forward to playing the tournament and that they could handle the physical and mental aspects of the tournament.
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