Gauff & Pegula Prompted To Make 2 Speeches In Rome After Madrid Snub

| by Zachary Wimer

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula won't have good memories of their 2023 Madrid Open final, but hopefully, the 2023 Italian Open final will be different.

Only a couple of weeks ago, the American duo played in the 2023 Madrid Open doubles final, after which players were part of one of the biggest controversies of the WTA 1000 tournament in the Spanish capital.

Gauff and Pegula, as well as Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia who were eventual champions, weren't allowed to speak after the final, creating a lot of questions for the organizers who made the decision.

Once the players arrived in Rome, they disclosed that they received an apology from the tournament organizers, and the Madrid Open CEO also released a statement, but it was a bit too late for that.

WTA Slammed For Failing To Address Madrid Open Doubles Final Controversy
WTA Slammed For Failing To Address Madrid Open Doubles Final Controversy

Gauff and Pegula weren't discouraged by the controversy and continued to play well also in Rome, and after some solid performances, they also reached the final at the 2023 Italian Open.

This time, the Americans will play against Storm Hunter from Australia and Elise Mertens from Belgium, and they will hope that the organizers will avoid the same thing that happened two weeks ago in Rome.

When Pegula shared a video of the American duo securing their spot in the 2023 Italian Open final, Shriver noticed it and remembered the Madrid Open fiasco, as she suggested the finalists should have two speeches now.

"Please make two speeches!"

While it's not probable that any of the players will mention what happened a couple of weeks ago in Madrid, the trophy ceremony at the 2023 Italian Open in Rome will be surely closely followed by many tennis fans.

2023 Roland Garros WTA Entry List - Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka & more
2023 Roland Garros WTA Entry List - Swiatek, Gauff, Sabalenka & more

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