![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/4975959.jpg?r=1695577482030\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Elena Rybakina has criticised the WTA following a last-minute rule change. The 24-year-old is set to compete in the upcoming Japan Open, her first tournament since a third-round exit at the US Open three weeks ago.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
However, she is not happy after learning just before the draw was made that she will begin her campaign in the Far East on Monday against Linda Noskova. This is due to a concept called \u2018performance byes\u2019, which is being tested by the Japan tournament.<\/p>\n
The rule regarding performance byes has been in operation since WTA Premier Mandatory events – now called WTA 1000s – were brought in for the 2009 season. The WTA has used them at tournaments many times, including between Antwerp and Dubai back in 2015. Rather than being handed an automatic bye and not playing the first round, if a player is seeded in the top four, a performance bye will give certain players the chance to skip the event\u2019s opening round depending on recent results.<\/p>\n
In this instance, Maria Sakkari and Caroline Garcia were given byes following the former\u2019s run to the Guadalajara title, and the latter reached the semi-finals in the Mexican city, losing to the eventual champion. Therefore, they will start their campaign a day or two later as they miss the first round.<\/p>\n
Given the former Wimbledon champion has not played since the US Open and her last strong showing came at the Montreal Masters where she made the last four, she did not have a bye and has to begin her campaign in the first round, despite being the tournament\u2019s No. 3 seed.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/4975960.jpg?r=1695577482090\")
<\/p>\n
The 2022 Wimbledon champion was furious with the timing of the decision and made her feelings known on social media. \u201cPerformance bye. Thank you for changing the rules last moment. Great decisions as always WTA,\u201d Rybakina wrote on X.<\/p>\n
Anastasia Pavlyuchenko or Donna Vekic will be waiting in the second round should the Australian Open runner-up defeat Noskova. Rybakina could compete against defending champion and seventh seed Liudmila Samsonova in the quarter-finals should she progress that far.<\/p>\n
This is not the first time the Kazakhstani tennis player has voiced her displeasure with the WTA. Rybakina dubbed the WTA “weak” following the weather disrupting the Montreal Open schedule.\u00a0She and her opponent Daria Kasatkina did not start playing until after 4 am GMT, which lasted nearly four hours and did not end until 7:55 am GMT.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n
Elena Rybakina ‘destroyed’ after 3am Canadian Open finish as semi-final in doubt[LATEST] <\/strong>
Coco Gauff reacts to Elena Rybakina slamming WTA for US Open risk[LATEST] <\/strong>
Gauff inspires Sakkari to call out haters in biggest title win weeks after tears[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/4975961.jpg?r=1695577482128\")
<\/p>\n