The CEO of the tennis tournament at Madrid, Gerard Tsobanianasked “sincere apologies to all players, players and fans who expected more” to them, by decision it was “unacceptable” not to give the women’s doubles finalists a chance to address the fans at the end of the match.
“This is unacceptable and we apologize directly to Victoria (Azarenka), Beatriz (Haddad-Maia), Coco (Gauff) and Jessica (Pegula). We are working internally, and with the WTA, to review our protocols and we are committed to improving our processes for the future,” Tsobanian said on the tournament’s social media. “We made a mistake and it won’t happen again”he concluded.
Last Sunday, Brazilian Beatriz Haddad-Maia and Belarusian Victoria Azarenka won the women’s doubles title of the WTA 1,000 in Madrid by defeating Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, the first seeds, in the final held in Caja Mágica by 6-1 and 6-4.
In all finals on the tennis circuit, the protagonists of a final are given the floor during the presentation of the trophies, a protocol that was not followed in this case.
The players were shocked when they were informed that there would only be pictures, no speeches, and then they expressed their discomfort on their networks. Other players who did not participate in the finals also expressed solidarity with them.
The tournament apologized to them in writing, although, as in the case of the public statement issued this Thursday by Tsobanian, without giving explanations why such a decision was made.
Source: La Verdad
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