The Madrid Open organizers are facing one controversy after another and one of those took place after the WTA doubles final.
The event in the Spanish capital has come under fire for an unusual and controversial decision that left the doubles finalists unable to address the crowd during the trophy ceremony. This deviation from the standard procedure has stirred up strong reactions among the tennis community, and the players have since taken to social media to express their thoughts on the matter.
Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia emerged victorious against Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff in the doubles final. However, the joy of victory was somewhat overshadowed by the tournament organizers' decision not to allow either team to speak during the trophy presentation.
This move was seen as highly unusual, given that addressing the crowd is a customary part of most tennis ceremonies, including those held in Madrid.
Feeling silenced and unheard, the players chose to use Twitter as a platform to share the words they were unable to express at the ceremony. Coco Gauff, in particular, expressed her gratitude for the fans who supported the players throughout the week and acknowledged the hard work of the tournament staff and ball kids.
"Wasn’t given the chance to speak after the final today. But thank you to the fans for supporting us and women’s tennis this week! Thanks, Jessica Pegula for always keeping it fun on the court and hitting unreal clutch shots. Lastly, big congratulations Vika and Bia."
"Also thanks to my team and Jess’s team of course! Also for the ball kids, tournament staff, and everyone else who works hard behind the scenes. Twitter format doesn’t allow me to say everything I would’ve said during the speech if we had one. But just wanted to say I‘m thankful."
Victoria Azarenka, one half of the winning doubles team, also took to Twitter to express her thanks to the fans for their support. She congratulated her partner, Beatriz Haddad Maia, on their first title together, and acknowledged the efforts of Pegula and Gauff in reaching the final.
"I would like to say thank you to all the fans for coming out and supporting us! Thank you to Bia for an incredible week! Our first title together! Congrats to Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff for the final and your teams!"
Azarenka also expressed her gratitude to her team and the people working behind the scenes to make the tournament possible.
"Thank you to all the people behind the scenes for working hard! I would like to say thank you to my team for your hard work and support! An unforgettable week."
Later, she lamented that she could not address her son during the trophy ceremony, something that she clearly felt deeply about.
"Hard to explain to Leo that mommy isn’t able to say hello to him at the trophy ceremony."
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