American tennis player Jessica Pegula has voiced her criticism towards the Madrid Open organisers after she and doubles partner Coco Gauff were not allowed to make speeches at the trophy ceremony.
Pegula, ranked third in the world, and teenage sensation Gauff lost 6-1 6-4 to Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia in the women’s doubles final on Sunday, with none of the finalists allowed to address the crowd. However, the men’s doubles finalists had been given an opportunity to do so a day prior.
The 25-year-old expressed her disappointment on Twitter after being denied a chance to express her feelings at such a pivotal moment.
“It would have been nice to be able to speak and thank the crowd, my team and other supporters at the trophy ceremony today,” Pegula wrote. “Disappointing that we were not allowed to do so as women’s doubles finalists.”
Pegula’s criticism was met with support from many, including high-profile players such as Naomi Osaka.
The Madrid Open organisers have not responded to the backlash yet and it remains unclear why the women’s doubles finalists were not allowed to make speeches at the trophy ceremony.
Many believe this is a clear example of gender discrimination and underlines the inequality that still exists between men’s and women’s tennis.
The hashtag ‘equalityinsport’ has been trending in support of Pegula, with many pointing out the double-standards that exist in professional sport as well as in wider society.
While this incident may be concerning, it has certainly drawn attention to the need for equal rights and opportunities in all areas of life
