Madrid Open issues grovelling apology for sexist doubles finalists ban

The Madrid Open has apologised for a sexist ban at the tournament’s trophy presentation, but the backflip wasn’t received too well.

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 07: (L-R) Runners up Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula of United States and Winners Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil pose while holding their trophy's after the Woman's Doubles Final match on Day Fourteen of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 07, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Madrid Open organisers have apologised after not allowing the women’s doubles finalists to make speeches after the match at the tournament last week, amid allegations of sexism.

The mens’ doubles finalists were allowed to speak to the crowd after their matches.

Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia beat Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff in the women’s final on Sunday but were not given a microphone to let them address the crowd.

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“We sincerely apologise to all the players and fans who expect more of the Mutua Madrid Open tournament,” said Madrid Open CEO Gerard Tsobanian in a statement.

“Not giving our women’s doubles finalists the chance to address their fans at the end of the match was unacceptable and we have apologised directly to Victoria, Beatriz, Coco and Jessica.”

Tsobanian said the tournament was working with the WTA to improve their process in the future.

“We made a mistake and this will not ever happen again,” he added.

The women’s doubles winners and finalists weren’t allowed to speak after the Madrid Open final. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula weren’t given the chance to speak. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The consensus from the tennis world was that it was too little, too late.

Tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg tweeted: “The apology from Madrid comes fully, and four days later. The cake is pretty stale by now, you could say.”

“Working internally to review protocols”…
It’s pretty simple. Show some proper respect. It’s the very least they deserve. https://t.co/QHr59XASrR

— John Millman (@johnhmillman) May 11, 2023

So for a tournament to deny players a speech after they win a @WTA 1000 is a DISGRACE!! I hope the WTA never allow this to happen again. What was the reason @MutuaMadridOpen and @WTA ???

— Rennae Stubbs 🟦👍🏼 (@rennaestubbs) May 7, 2023

American player Pegula criticised the tournament at a news conference in Rome on Tuesday.

“Did I think we were not going to be able to speak? No. I’ve never heard of that, like, in my life,” she said.

“I don’t know what century everyone was living in when they made that decision.”

Tunisia’s World No. 4 Ons Jabeur calling the incident “sad and unacceptable”.

Women’s singles finalist Iga Swiatek had criticised the tournament in her speech on Saturday over their late finishes, saying it was “not fun” to play at 1am local time.

Winner Aryna Sabalenka joked about a birthday cake she was given the day before in her speech, which was smaller than the one the tournament gave men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz.

The Madrid Open also faced complaints about the ballgirls’ outfits, which some fans said were “sexualised”.