WTA chief Larry Scott said on Wednesday he was "disappointed and concerned" with the scheduling of women's matches at Wimbledon and planned to discuss the issue with organisers of the grasscourt grand slam.
Serena Williams and Serbian second seed Jelena Jankovic hit out at organisers on Monday after they, along with defending champion Venus Williams, were shunted off the two main showcourts for their fourth round matches.
While Venus and Serena, who between them have won six titles here, were on to Court Two, Jankovic was exiled to the far flung Court 18 which she described as "almost in the parking lot". "I do have concerns based on what I have seen about the scheduling and I know some of our players were troubled by it," Scott told Reuters in an interview.
"But I do plan on meeting with the chairman of Wimbledon in the next couple of days and discussing our concerns... "I want to understand his point of view and the club's point of view. I think it's important they understand our players' point of view and my point of view."
The scheduling on Monday raised eyebrows because, while the Williams sisters and Jankovic were banished to smaller arenas, the main attractions in the men's draw, five-times champion Roger Federer, twice runner-up Rafael Nadal and British hope Andy Murray have played all their 2008 matches on the two main courts.
Although Venus, who is chasing a fifth title here, refused to get drawn into the argument, her younger sister Serena did not hold back. "Initially I thought, okay, is this the right schedule? I thought maybe there was a mistake," said the eight-times grand slam winner.
The sisters might have the right to feel aggrieved since the last time Federer was off the two main showcourts at Wimbledon was the 2003 quarter-finals against Dutchman Sjeng Schalken and that was before he had won his first title. "I've spoken to Venus, Serena and Jelena Jankovic and they're quite pleased that I'm going to be taking this up directly with the chairman," said Scott.
"I was disappointed and concerned and share the concern of our players.... I've committed to them that I would take this up this week." Scott declined to comment when asked if he thought the women were not receiving treatment equal with the top men. But when it was pointed out that Federer, Nadal and Murray had played all their matches on the two main courts this year, he added: "That speaks for itself."
Wimbledon referee Andrew Jarrett said on Monday organising the packed schedule meant not all players could appear on the courts they preferred. "With 16 matches to play on six show courts, it is inevitable that some leading players will be scheduled away from Centre and Court One," he said. "This is always the case on the second Monday at Wimbledon and as such provides a great opportunity for spectators."
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