“It sucks when you feel like you’re not on a really fair playing ground” – Pegula and Samsonova weigh in on Montreal scheduling

The Canadian Open 2023 ended with Jessica Pegula well and truly dispatching Liudmila Samsonova, 6-1, 6-0 in the final in Montreal on Sunday afternoon.

With the nature of Pegula’s win, much focus has been given to the scheduling in Montreal following her victory.

On two separate occasions this week, Samsonova was required to play two matches in a day, including both the semi-final and final on the same day. Evidently, the physical toll was too much, with the Russian failing to compete in the title match.

Speaking after the final, both women have weighed in on the scheduling drama.

“I know scheduling wasn’t in her favor” – Pegula acknowledges discrepancy

It took all of one minute after Jessica Pegula had won her second WTA 1000 crown for the American to acknowledge the hardships Liudmila Samsonova had faced in her scheduling over the week.

On court Pegula stated that she “wished she had won on better terms,” and followed up with a similar sentiment in her post-match press conference:

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“Obviously physically she wasn’t feeling her best,” Pegula said. “She’s had a crazy schedule.”

“I know scheduling wasn’t in her favor. It sucks when you feel like you’re not on a really fair playing ground, especially someone like her who is such a great player.”

Due to poor weather in Montreal that saw multiple rain delays, Samsonova was made to play for almost five hours on Friday, defeating Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-4 before knocking out No 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-3.

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Her semi-final was then delayed due to rain on Saturday, resulting in the Russian playing a three set match against Elena Rybakina on Sunday afternoon, before coming back out two hours later to contest the final with Pegula.

“It’s strange that the people don’t care so much about us” – Samsonova wants to see change

Echoing a similar sentiment to Elena Rybakina, who spoke out against the WTA after her semi-final loss, Liudmila Samsonova was also unhappy with how the Canadian Open scheduling unfolded this week.

“It was a tough week for me,” said Samsonova after the final. “So many matches, so many experiences, tough weather. I tried to do my best, but it was not enough today.”

When asked how she felt about the two hour turnaround time between playing the semi-final and final, Samsonova responded:

“Honestly, I would love to have more time, but they said that it’s not possible.”

“I didn’t have time to regenerate because I was to the physio room trying to tape all my body, and it takes one hour for this,” Samsonova continued. “I was out of the court and then again in, it was strange.”

The 24-year-old highlighted that the way this year’s scheduling was handled didn’t feel fair, and she would like to see a change in the future.

“It’s strange that the people doesn’t care so much about us. If you know that [it will rain], you must make a schedule where it’s possible to play, because we already made two matches in one day.

“So you have to try to do the best to not play two matches in another day. This is my opinion.”

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