The Madrid Open organizers made a number of questionable decisions during the 2023 tournament, and using models as ball girls was one of them.
In the wake of public backlash, the organizers have revamped ball girls' attire, signaling their intent to address concerns of sexism and misogyny at the event. The Madrid Open, an ATP & WTA 1000 tennis event, found itself at the center of a controversy surrounding the reintroduction of female models as ball girls and their initial choice of attire.
The ATP final of the event between Carlos Alcaraz and Jan-Lennard Struff on Sunday showcased a notable change, as the ball girls donned navy-blue outfits consisting of loose-fitted capris and sleeveless crop tops.
This change came as a direct response to the public outcry that labeled the tournament's organizers and director Feliciano Lopez as misogynistic for their previous clothing selections.
The initial decision to reintroduce female models as ball girls at the Manolo Santana stadium involved dressing them in black crop tops and pastel mint mini skirts. Critics argued that this attire was inappropriate and objectified the models, who were replacing the young tennis players who traditionally serve as ball kids.
Adding fuel to the fire, adult male ball boys were employed for the WTA matches, adhering to the standard dress code, further highlighting the disparity in treatment between male and female assistants.
This year's Madrid Open has been no stranger to controversy, with numerous incidents garnering negative attention from the tennis community. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek expressed her frustration with the tournament scheduling after being forced to finish matches at 1 AM. Additionally, the organizers faced accusations of favoritism towards local player Carlos Alcaraz.
The recent wardrobe change for the ball girls represents a step in the right direction for the Madrid Open, demonstrating that organizers are receptive to criticism and willing to make adjustments. However, it remains to be seen if this move is the beginning of a broader commitment to promoting equality and inclusivity in tennis.
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