Arina Rodionova has blasted Tennis Australia for not giving
her a wildcard entry after her qualification round debacle at the Australian
Open.
The first Grand Slam of the year is set to begin in less
than 10 days’ time where players from all over the world will be taking part to
win the ultimate prize.
Rodionova, who is Australia’s highest-ranked tennis player,
will not going to take part in the competition after being knocked in the qualifying
round to Leolia Jeanjean in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4.
Rodionova was quoted in a report where she lambasted Tennis
Australia for not giving her direct access to the main round of the mega-event
despite being the best women’s player in the country.
“The only regrets I have from today is just I gave Tennis
Australia something to celebrate,” she said after the result. “I think they are very pleased with my result
today and that's what makes me upset. It started like years and years ago.
“There are so many things and instances that happened
between myself and people in charge of, like, the head of women's tennis and
other people in Tennis Australia. There were just so many things behind the
scenes that it is very clear to me that I'm not liked.
“And it's not just clear to me, it's clear to every single
Australian tennis player and everyone. It's not exactly a secret, everyone
knows it and now it's kind of funny that basically by making this decision they
decided to make it public as well.”