{
  "id": 1504703,
  "title": "Vote Coming to Ease Tennis Stars’ Schedules, WTA Council Member Says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/vote-coming-to-ease-tennis-stars-schedules-wta-council-member-says",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-17T15:32:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Front Office Sports",
    "slug": "front-office-sports",
    "url": "https://frontofficesports.com/womens-tennis-schedules-easing/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The WTA Tour Architecture Council, a 13-person group formed in February, plans to reduce the number of required WTA 500 tournaments for top women tennis players starting next year, according to council member Bob Moran. Moran, also president of Beemok Sports and Entertainment, which runs the Cincinnati and Charleston Opens, expects a vote on the matter during the US Open, which begins at the end of the month. The current rules require top players to play at least six 500 tournaments, with the number potentially dropping to five or four. This change would bring the total required tournaments for top players down to around 15-17, from the current 17-18. The council includes top players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, Maria Sakkari, Victoria Azarenka, and Katie Volynets, as well as WTA and tournament executives. While players have long complained about the crowded schedule, a reduction in required 500 tournaments could come with a compromise, such as slower growth in prize money for these tournaments.",
  "summary": "The vote will likely take place during the US Open.",
  "key_points": [
    "WTA Tour Architecture Council aims to reduce required 500 tournaments for top players.",
    "Council member Bob Moran expects vote at US Open end of month.",
    "Change would reduce required tournaments to 15-17 from current 17-18."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}