"Very frustrating and sad" - Verdasco and Badosa on Madrid Open wild card selections

Former world number seven Fernando Verdasco and WTA world number three Paula Badosa are among those saddened by the wildcard selections announced for the 2022 Madrid Open.

The invitations, announced yesterday, include just one Spaniard for main draw competition and only five of 19 across main draws and qualifying. Meanwhile, a number of wildcards went to players managed by IMG, the management group that acquired the Madrid Open late last year.

As such, Spanish pros like 2009 Australian Open semi-finalist Verdasco, ATP top 100 pro Carlos Taberner and veteran Pablo Andujar have tweeted out a statement opposing the selections. The statement reads:

“We find it surprising, as well as very frustrating, that the biggest tennis event in Spain shows so little (or no) support for Spanish tennis players with the [wildcards] granted, especially to the main draws. We find the criteria used by the promoting company and the tournament owners to give these wildcards to be unreasonable."

One of those who recently benefitted from such a wildcard policy is 2021 Indian Wells champion Badosa, who voiced her support for the movement. She replied to Verdasco and others, tweeting:

“Very sad to see things like this for Spanish tennis when there is a lot of potential. A year ago I entered the tournament with a wildcard. I had one of the best tournaments of my career, a tournament that I will never forget thanks to a wildcard.”