Former grand slam winner Sloane Stephens has fired a parting shot at ATP Cup and Brisbane International organisers, saying there was a lack of respect as women were consigned to outside courts to accommodate the men's team event.

The 26-year-old American was beaten by Liudmila Samsonova in the first round of the Brisbane International, a WTA premier event trying to co-exist at the Queensland Tennis Centre with the inaugural ATP Cup, which has monopolised Pat Rafter Arena until Wednesday night.

Sloane Stephens during her match against Liudmila Samsonova at the Brisbane International tournament on Tuesday. Credit:AP

At one point, it raised the possibility of home-town hero Ash Barty, the world No.1, beginning her 2020 campaign on a secondary court, although that scheduling had yet to be finalised by late Tuesday afternoon. It's likely Barty will start on Pat Rafter Arena on Thursday.

Stephens, the world No.24 and 2017 US Open champion, was among those forced to swelter in the Brisbane humidity on an outside court, which had a shade sail in place but still felt like a sauna. She said it felt as if the WTA players weren't included in the consultation and planning of the event and there needed to be more respect in future.