Australian tennis officials said they were working on a "new concept" for women's tennis on Wednesday after top players complained they were being shunted aside to make way for the men's ATP Cup.
Brisbane International tournament director Mark Handley said tennis in Australia was in a "transitional period" following the introduction of the ATP Cup, whose inaugural edition is being played in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth.
Maria Sharapova and Sloane Stephens have strongly criticised scheduling at the WTA Brisbane International, also being played at the Queensland Tennis Centre, saying women's players had been unfairly relegated to the outside courts.
"It feels like a little bit of a second-hand event," said Sharapova, while fellow Major-winner Stephens fumed: "It was what the ATP (men's tour) wanted -- they got what they wanted, girls to the side, that's kind of how it always is."
"The ATP Cup is the first step in that and now we are in great talks with the WTA about a new concept and are really excited about the potential in this space."
"I think it would be really fun. We all love playing Fed Cup, and I think being able to do that during the season for a WTA event would be really fun."
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