Tennis-Sabalenka slams WTA for court conditions in Cancun

FILE PHOTO: Oct 29, 2023; Cancun, Mexico; Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot during her match against Maria Sakkari (GRE) on day one of the GNP Saguaros WTA Finals Cancun. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

(Reuters) - World number one Aryna Sabalenka said she did not feel safe playing on the newly-constructed tennis courts in Cancun, Mexico, where the season-ending WTA Finals got underway on Sunday and put the blame squarely on the WTA.

"I'm happy that I was able to stay focused tonight, overcome the conditions, and play well," Sabalenka said in an Instagram post Sunday night after throttling Maria Sakkari 6-0 6-1 on the opening day of group play.