Paula Badosa Agrees With Fernando Verdasco After Madrid Open Announces Wild Cards

The Mutua Madrid Open starts soon, but the tournament has been facing some controversy recently. Spanish player Fernando Verdasco and several others expressed their discontent with the allocation of wildcards for the event. Historically, Spanish players have been given more wild card entries in the tournament, owing to the fact that it is their home event.

But, recently the ownership of the tournaments has been transferred from Ion Tiriac to IMG. As a result, there have been a lot of changes regarding how wildcards have been allocated for the tournament.

Paula Badosa comes out in support of Verdasco and other

Top Spanish WTA player, Paula Badosa, opened up about the situation. She recalled how a Wild Card entry into the tournament last year had helped her have one of the best tournaments in her career so far. The Madrid Open is one of the most important events in a player’s calendar, both in the ATP and WTA circuits. It is one of the few prestigious 1000 masters titles of the year.

Badosa was ranked 62nd on the WTA list last year. However, as she reached the semi-finals in Madrid, she ended up qualifying for the women’s season-ending WTA Finals.

“Very sad to see things like that for Spanish tennis. When there is a lot of potentials. A year ago I entered the tournament by invitation and made the best tournaments of my career. A tournament I will never forget thanks to an invitation.” Badosa tweeted.

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“It’s a huge opportunity for everyone, and it’s a shame in the only tournament we have of such a level this happens… We have to give opportunities to our tennis players to continue growing,” Badosa added.

Verdasco thanks Badosa for her support

Fernando Verdasco was the main person who posted about the situation at the Madrid Open. After Badosa’s support for the same, he also thanked the World No. 3 from Spain.

“Thank you @paulabadosa!! The support of someone who, although not harmed, (which is not usually seen much in this selfish sport) is appreciated, still looks out for the good of Spanish tennis!” he wrote.

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This year, the wildcards have been given to Andy Murray and Jack Draper from the UK, Carlos Gimeno from Spain, and Lucas Pouille from France. In the women’s section, Naomi Osaka from Japan, Linda Fruhvirtova from the Czech Republic, Monica Puig from Puerto Rico, Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (UKR), and Chinese Qinwen Zheng have received the wildcards.