The tennis community’s excitement to witness this season’s French Open was turned into disappointment when many former Grand Slam champions like Dominic Thiem were not given a wild card entry. Top French players like Alize Cornet and Richard Gasquet, on the other hand, received wild card invitations as they secured a place in the main draw of their home Grand Slam event. While many are criticizing the snubbing of the former major champions, Sachia Vickery recently issued a contradictory take on the matter.
Amid all the criticism, the American tennis player recently took to Twitter to showcase her support for the controversial French Open wildcard stance. She tweeted, “Are people seriously angry that RG gave all their wildcards to French players at their home slam 😂 literally the way it should be other slams should take notes on how to support home players. Also ex top players that don’t get a main draw wc usually withdraw from qualifying 🤷🏾♀️” Vickery also asserted that ‘ex-top players’ usually withdraw from the tournament after not receiving a wild card.
Are people seriously angry that RG gave all their wildcards to French players at their home slam 😂 literally the way it should be other slams should take notes on how to support home players . Also ex top players that don’t get a main draw wc usually withdraw from qualifying 🤷🏾♀️
— Sachia Vickery (@SachiaVick) May 19, 2024
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Answering a fan who slammed these snubs, the 29-year-old player further went on to question the former Grand Slam champions’ decision to withdraw from qualifying rounds. Vickery stated, “So why do the ex top players withdraw for qualifying once they find out they aren’t getting a main draw wc? Doesn’t seem fair to their fans who wait all year to see them play .” She is of the opinion that former champions usually pull out, but Thiem is an exception to this assertion.
Dominic Thiem didn’t withdraw after not receiving a wild card
It was an emotional moment for the former Grand Slam champion as he played his farewell match at the clay major event in Paris. After not receiving a wild card invitation, Dominic Thiem had to win his qualifying round matches to secure a place in the main draw fixtures. The Austrian tennis star managed to overcome the Italian Franco Agamenone after pulling off a comeback in a three-set thriller, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
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However, the former number 3 player then tasted defeat at the hands of his next opponent Otto Virtanen, who won in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5. Thiem’s qualifying round match turned out to be his farewell campaign at the French Open, as he will putting down his racket at the end of this season.
What do you think of Sachia Vickery’s take on French Open wild card snubs? Let us know in the comments section.