The 2024 Madrid Open has seen a significant change this year. Just like the players, the audience has also enjoyed watching their favorite players but the intense quarterfinal between Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva unfolded with a strange twist. And John McEnroe’s brother, Patrick, pointed it out in his latest X post, raising a significant question for the tennis world.

Currently, ranked No. 4, Elena Rybakina has been rapidly climbing up the ladder of success this season. After the Stuttgart Open victory, she just won the quarterfinal match at the Madrid Open. With a score of 6-4, 6-7, and 5-7, she had already qualified for the semifinal match scheduled for the next day. However, amid all the intensity of back-to-back matches, the crowd’s cheer can frequently light up a player’s enthusiasm on-court. And the lack of one can also be discouraging for the players. And this was noticed during Elena Rybakina’s latest match against the three-time major quarterfinalist, Yulia Putintseva.

Referring to this, Patrick McEnroe questioned, “Where is the crowd in Madrid now?” . The absence of spectators in such an important quarterfinal match of the Madrid Open has left him bewildered.

The former captain of the United States Davis Cup team is always vocal about his support for various important issues regarding the tennis world. Be it supporting women in the tennis world or standing up against displeasing social norms, his voice has dominated the tennis world for decades. When there was concern for player safety and human rights after the disappearance of a tennis player, Peng Shuai, McEnroe took his stand.

He appreciated the WTA’s decision to suspend the game. And then he also urged the ATP association to do the same. Apart from that, he is also involved in financially supporting underprivileged tennis players and help them pursue their dreams. Therefore, when it came to voicing his opinions during the latest match, he did not disappoint his fans. However, even amid all of this, Elena Rybakina’s victory amazed her fans.

Elena Rybakina’s winning streak in the Madrid Open continues!

After her victory over Putintseva, Elena Rybakina managed to extend her seven-match winning streak to eight. Within 2 hours and 48 minutes of the match, Rybakina now holds a record. With 30 tour-leading match wins this season, she only faced four losses. However, this victory also broke Rybakina’s opponent’s winning streak against her. Because in her previous two encounters with Putintseva in Indian Wells 2021 and Rome 2020, she could not earn a victory.

However, she is not giving up in this season so quickly. Now, with her sixth semifinal appearance of the season, the Kazakhstani player is all set to continue showing her prowess on the court. And hopefully, in her next semifinal appearance, fans will get to witness a fully packed audience cheering for her.