“He had his chances” Madrid Open TD slams Fernando Verdasco’s ‘exaggerated claims’ on handing out wildcards


“He had his chances” Madrid Open TD slams Fernando Verdasco’s ‘exaggerated claims’ on handing out wildcards

Gerard Tsobanian and Fernando Verdasco

The 2022 Madrid Open, sponsored by Mutua Madrileña came under fire from a lot of Spanish players led by Fernando Verdasco. The Spanish Players complained that Madrid Open has given wildcards to players who are not Spanish and accused the tournament to go after money rather than supporting their local players.

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Verdasco said that player under contract with the sports management has benefited at the expense of the Spaniards. Along with him Carlos Taberner and Pablo Andujar also expressed their dissatisfaction through a press conference. Verdasco was upset with the fact that him being a Spanish great was not granted the invitation to the tournament while foreign players were granted wildcards instead.

Madrid Open tournament director clears allegations by Fernando Verdasco

Fernando Verdasco
Fernando Verdasco

The president and Chief executive officer of Mutua Madrid Open Gerard Tsobanian wanted to make things clear and said, “Verdasco is making a first big mistake by confusing tournaments that belong to a federation, like Rome or Bercy, and tournaments that belong to a private company. Tournament owners have the right to dispose of the wildcards as they see fit.”

“In the past, with Tiriac, we always respected the Spaniards, Verdasco had four times the wild card for Madrid. He had his chances, he was respected. His behavior is a bit exaggerated, I think,” said Gerard as reported by WeloveTennis.

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Verdasco said that he did not have any grudges against the Frenchman Lucas Pouille and he has no problems that he didn’t get the wildcard. Ultimately Verdasco wanted a Spaniard to get the wildcard. The former Spanish player Feliciano Lopez tried to get an invitation for Verdasco but couldn’t get one. However, despite all this chaos Pouille has got the invitation as a wildcard and will be facing the Russian Karen Khanchov in a first-round clash at the Madrid Open.

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