Former world No. 1 Andy Murray has defended himself after receiving a Madrid Masters wildcard, stating that he was simply offered a wildcard and decided to accept it.Ā
The four main draw wildcards for the Madrid Masters went to Great Britain’s Murray, Jack Draper and Frenchman Lucas Pouille.Ā
The only Spaniard to receive a wildcard was Carlos Gimeno.Ā
Spanish tennis playerĀ Fernando Verdasco posted a lenghty message, voicing his displeasure over Madrid wildcard distribution.Ā
āWe find it surprising, as well as very frustrating, that the biggest tennis event in Spain shows so little (or no) support towards Spanish tennis players with the invitations granted, especially for the main draws (ā¦ ) Their commercial interests take precedence over Spanish sport and deviate completely from the trajectory followed in previous years (ā¦) If we consider any other tournament in the same category, the support given to local players is immensely greater. Without going any further, the Rome tournament, which takes place the week after Madrid, has already announced its first five invitations and all of them are for Italian players,” read the complain of Spanish tennis players.Ā
Murray reacts to the criticism
“Any tournament can give their wild cards to whoever they want. But just because Iām British shouldnāt make me more ādeservingā of a wild card than anyone else for Wimbledon. Holger Rune is less deserving than a local Spanish player?” Murray tweeted.Ā
Any tournament can give their wild cards to whoever they want. But just because Iām British shouldnāt make me more ādeservingā of a wild card than anyone else for Wimbledon. Holger Rune is less deserving than a local Spanish player?
ā Andy Murray (@andy_murray) April 21, 2022
Even though Murray is past his prime, tournaments still want him.Ā
Murray was granted a number of wildcards last year and that trend continued this year.Ā
Also, Murray explained why giving wildcards to only local players is not a good thing for the game.Ā
“Nobody is saying itās crazy and youāre entitled to that opinion. Many players donāt come from countries that happen to host big tennis tournaments. Isnāt that very unfair that those players wonāt get any wild cards?” Murray said in another tweet.
Nobody is saying itās crazy and youāre entitled to that opinion. Many players donāt come from countries that happen to host big tennis tournaments. Isnāt that very unfair that those players wonāt get any wild cards?
ā Andy Murray (@andy_murray) April 21, 2022