He Madrid Open issued an apology Thursday for failing to give the women’s doubles finalists a chance to speak after the match, but did not address other allegations of sexism against the tournament.
The general director of the Mutua Madrid Open, Gerard Tsobanian, issued the statement after the winners victoria azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia and finalists Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula didn’t get a chance to address the crowd after last weekend’s final match.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain walks onto the pitch before the men’s final match of the Mutua Madrid Open in Madrid on May 7, 2023. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Both the men’s and women’s singles and the men’s doubles were able to speak after their respective final matches.
THE MADRID OPEN IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT OF THE BALL AMONG OTHER ISSUES
“Our most sincere apologies to all the players and fans who expect more from the Mutua Madrid Open tournament. Not giving our women’s doubles finalists the opportunity to address their fans at the end of the match has been unacceptable and we have apologized directly to Victoria, Beatriz, Coco and Jessica,» Tsobanian’s statement read.
«We are working internally and with the WTA to review our protocols and are committed to improving our process going forward. We made a mistake and this will not happen again.»
Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil hold up their trophies after winning the women’s doubles final match at the Mutua Madrid Open in Madrid on May 7, 2023. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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The statement did not address other concerns raised during the tournament, such as the outfits worn by the ball boys, which included short skirts and revealing tops, and the disparity in the size of the birthday cakes that organizers gave to the tournament’s best players.
Ball boys look on during a match at the Mutua Madrid Open in Madrid on May 7, 2023. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was given a two-tiered cake after his semifinal victory on Friday, while Aryna Sabalenka, the eventual women’s champion, received a much smaller cake.
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The apology was poorly received by some, including Australian tennis player John Millman, who tweeted: «It’s quite simple. Show due respect. It’s the least you deserve.»
Associated Press contributed to this report.