Tennis player Daria Saville has voiced her annoyance that partners of athletes, often referred to as “WAGs,” are securing endorsement deals while active sports professionals are overlooked.
Saville, aged 31, didn`t name anyone specifically but her comments come amidst the rising profile of figures like Morgan Riddle, the girlfriend of Taylor Fritz, who is ranked No. 4 in the world.
Morgan Riddle, 27, has gained significant attention by sharing vlogs about her experiences on the tennis tour, attracting a younger audience to the sport. She has amassed a large social media following, collaborated with Vogue, and launched her own jewelry line.
Saville admitted to enjoying Riddle`s content but is frustrated that influencers often receive more attention and publicity than the athletes themselves.
Saville, originally from Russia and now representing Australia since 2015, believes there`s room for both WAGs and female tennis players to receive recognition, but feels athletes are consistently sidelined.
In a TikTok video, she discussed brand endorsements, noting the current popularity of tennis aesthetics. She questioned why brands are choosing WAGs over athletes for deals, especially when female tennis players are not getting the same opportunities.
Saville pointed out that tennis WAGs seem to fit the desired image more than the “sweaty tennis players” themselves, implying that the glamorous lifestyle of influencers is preferred over the athletic reality of players.
Saville, who once held a world ranking of 20 but is now at No. 108, understands why companies might prefer to associate with those in the limelight of major tournaments, whether players or their partners.
She mentioned conversations with influencer WAGs who were surprised that tennis players don`t receive similar opportunities. She questioned if athletes are perceived as less relatable to audiences compared to WAGs, and whether marketing teams consider tennis players too niche.
Saville concluded by asking if the preference for influencers is due to the appeal of a glamorous life versus the perceived less glamorous “sweat life” of athletes, finding it “mind-blogging” that brands choose influencers for campaigns during major tennis events. She emphasized she`s not alone in this sentiment among female tennis players and expressed her frustration.
Morgan Riddle has also spoken about the downsides of being a tennis WAG, including experiences like attempted kidnapping, injuries from electrocution, and burglaries, highlighting that it`s not always as glamorous as it appears.
