Fernando Verdasco has claimed the decision to not award him a wild card to play at the Madrid Open was down to IMG despite efforts made by the tournament director.
The 38-year-old is among a series of Spanish players who have expressed dismay over the allocations of main draw passes this year. Out of the nine main draw wild cards which were up for grabs in both the men’s and women’s main draws, the only local player to receive one was Carlos Gimeno. In response a group of players issued a statement on April 20th criticizing the lack of support given to Spanish tennis. Among the supporters are world No.2 Paula Badosa who reached the Madrid semi-finals last year as a wild card.
“We find it surprising, as well as very frustrating, that the biggest tennis event in Spain shows such little (or no) support for Spanish tennis players with the invitations granted, especially to the main draws.” The statement reads.
“We understand that some of them (tournament organizers) give them (wild cards) at their own discretion, but not that in all of them their commercial interests prevail over Spanish sport and totally leaving the trajectory followed in previous years. We have many tennis players who have remained at the gates of being able to participate, and have been ignored in their requests to receive an invitation.”
In 2021 a total of six wild cards was given to home players – two in the women’s draw and four in the men’s. However, since then the tournament has changed ownership with IMG completing their takeover from Super Slam Ltd and its affiliates. Romania’s Iron Tiriac was the former owner.
Speaking about the situation following his second round win at the Estoril Open, Verdasco believes the blame lies with IMG over the lack of main draw wild cards for home players. The Madrid-born player had made 18 consecutive appearances at the Masters 1000 event and the last time he didn’t play was back in 2002 (excluding 2020 when the tournament was cancelled). His win-loss record currently stands at 19-18 with his best run being to the quarter-finals on two occasions.
“It’s my city, I played it for 17 years and now that I need it they give wild cards to a World No. 500 and one French. Pouille is my friend, but it makes no sense. It’s like Paris-Bercy giving me a wild-card instead of him.” Said Verdasco.
Verdasco, who is currently ranked 118th in the world, says tournament director Felciano Lopez tried to help get him a wild card but was unable to do so.
“Feliciano is my friend and I know by what he told IMG that he tried everything to help me get a wild card, but they told him no. So I’ll always defend him, but I have to be disappointed with the tournament and his boss, who now works for IMG.” He concluded.
List of 2022 Madrid Open main draw wildcards
Men
Andy Murray GBR
Jack Draper GBR
Carlos Gimeno ESP
Lucas Pouille FRA
Women
Naomi Osaka JPN
Linda Fruhvirtova CZE
Monica Puig PUR
Marta Kostyuk UKR
Qinwen Zheng CHN
