World number two Dinara Safina has backed away from her Tour boycott threat, which she made after being misinformed about tournament entrance rules for 2009.
Russia’s highest ranked player was concerned that under the new Roadmap plan, she could be deemed ineligible to compete in Moscow’s Kremlin Cup.
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour cleared up the issue by confirming that according to the new rules, the Kremlin Cup will have an unlimited field of top players.
“Dinara was misinformed when she stated that the Kremlin Cup in Moscow was going to have a limited player commitment in 2009,” said Sony Ericsson WTA Tour CEO Larry Scott in comments reported by the AFP.
“It is in fact one of five tournaments which falls the week immediately before a Grand Slam or the Sony Ericsson Championships that will have unlimited player commitment, meaning any number of top 10 players can play the event. We have since spoken with Dinara and clarified this detail.”
Safina was mistakenly under the impression that only a limited number of top ten players would be allowed to compete.
“I was given the wrong information and now understand that the Kremlin Cup in Moscow can receive an unlimited number of top players,” said Safina.
“I support the direction the Tour is taking – especially as it relates to steps taken to create a healthier calendar for top players – though I of course want to wait and see how the Roadmap develops before coming to final opinions on the many reforms that will part of the new system.”
“I do hope that I and other top players will have an opportunity to sit with the Tour leadership in the coming weeks to discuss certain elements of the Roadmap where I think there is still room for improvement.”
The best tennis players in the world will converge next month in Doha at the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships.
