Storytime! 😅

So today was the sign-in deadline for US Open doubles — 12 noon.

Originally, I was supposed to play with Kozyreva. We agreed to play together more than a month ago (and btw, she was the one who asked me to play 😅), so I thought everything was sorted.

Then she won Memphis and suddenly decided to ditch me, saying our combined ranking wouldn’t be good enough to get into the draw.

BS. 😂 We would have been in easily.

So once again, I had to start looking for a new partner, which is not exactly easy a few weeks before a Grand Slam when most players are already paired up.

A few days later, I found Iryna Shymanovich. She was super excited, we were signed in, everything was good and I thought finally… problem solved.

Until today. 🫠

At 11:55am. FIVE MINUTES before the deadline, she sent me a voice message saying she was pulling out because we would be 1–2 alternates and she didn’t want to risk not getting into the draw.

For context: usually 2–3 alternate teams get into the doubles draw on site.

So at 11:55, I was suddenly left without a partner and basically had zero chance of finding someone else before noon.

And just like that, I missed out on playing doubles at the US Open.

What makes it even more frustrating is that I booked my hotel in New York based on the fact that, even if I lost singles, I would still be there for doubles.

So now I’ve also missed out on potential doubles prize money, ranking points and the opportunity to get my doubles ranking back up.

I honestly think the WTA needs to look at this rule.

How is someone supposed to find a new partner 5 minutes before the deadline? And how is it okay for a player to pull a team out at the very last minute, leaving the other player with absolutely no chance to find another partner?

I understand everyone has to make decisions that are best for themselves, but there should be some protection for the other player too.

Anyway… US Open doubles: cancelled before it even started. 🫠😂

Ahhhhh. I’m so frustrated. 😭