I don’t think giving a 16 yr old a WC into a 1000 is a good idea. I actually think we need to get rid of WCs in 1000s. The only 1s that should ever be given are to former Major champs or former #1s. Everyone else should have to play Qs. A WC is NOT bringing in more fans to a 1000
"We need to get rid of wildcards in 1000's" says Rennae Stubbs amid Darwin Blanch trouncing by Rafael Nadal at Madrid Open
Tennis NewsFriday, 26 April 2024 at 07:56
Rennae Stubbs, former coach of Serena Williams and a well known commenter on issues in the tennis sphere has hit out at wildcards being handed out for ATP and WTA 1000 tournaments as Darwin Blanch was roundly trounced 6-1, 6-0 on a nervy night for the 16-year-old starlet against the King of Clay at the Madrid Open.
But it was more the reasoning for wildcards as opposed to Blanch's route into the tournament that were a mode of conjecture for Stubbs. Unlike others who just hit out at using IMG wildcards to get players in. The view of Stubbs centred around the fact wildcards are usually used to get players in who are former huge names e.g Simona Halep, Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka to name a few on a WTA side who don't have the ranking and are players who put bums on seats so to peak. For Stubbs this isn't needed at 1000 level.
"I don’t think giving a 16 yr old (Blanch) a WC into a 1000 is a good idea. I actually think we need to get rid of WCs in 1000s. The only 1s that should ever be given are to former Major champs or former #1s. Everyone else should have to play Qs. A WC is NOT bringing in more fans to a 1000," said Stubbs.
Those replying to Twitter had conspiracy theories that the draw was rigged to favour Nadal with the lowest ranked player. "There were many players who deserved the spot much more. But I guess being associated with Nike/IMG comes with its own favors. Also, what are the chances that he was randomly selected to play a struggling Rafa in the first round. The corruption is outrageous," the user wrote on X. Stubbs though didn't agree with the latter. "Stop with the corruption (poo emoji) on the draw. It’s nonsense talk. The IMG point is 100% but the other comment is ridiculous."
Another said that the experience Blanch felt would be invaluable but that it didn't look right. Stubbs agreed that he will have huge potential but that it should've benefited someone else. "Oh no, he will learn tons from this. And it won’t ruin him. I’m not worried about this kids talent and potential, he will be fine and will be a really good player, top 10 potential. It’s more about, someone playing Qualies that should have had that spot this year," she wrote.
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