By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Madrid silencing ladies's doubles finalists is "really disappointing" and speaks volumes in regards to the event, says Jessica Pegula.

The Mutua Madrid Open got here underneath criticism for forgoing the time-honored custom of champions and finalists talking on the trophy ceremony.

More: Madrid Mutes Women's Doubles

Instead, the event muted Madrid ladies's doubles champions Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia and finalists Pegula and Coco Gauff.

The Mutua Madrid Open was accused of a sexist double commonplace because it did allow males's doubles finalists to talk on the trophy presentation.

Asked in regards to the remedy in Rome immediately, Pegula blasted Madrid's stance as "really disappointing" and stated it left gamers upset.

"What happened in Madrid, it was really disappointing," Pegula advised the media in Rome. "I know a lot of like what happened, detail leading up to the event, just because Vika and I are on players council. I had a feeling something was going to happen.

The world No. 3 said she's never seen a tournament silence finalists as Madrid did.

"Did I believe we weren't going to have the ability to converse, no. I've by no means heard of that, like, in my life," Pegula said. "Even in a 10K challenger remaining you'll converse.

"I don't know what century everyone was living in when they made that decision or how they actually had a conversation and decided, like, Wow, this is a great decision we're going to do and there's going to be no-backlash against this."

In the aftermath of Azarenka and Haddad Maia defeating Americans Gauff and Pegula 6-1, 6-4, the 4 ladies had been offered their trophies however not given the chance to talk.

Watch across the 11:20 mark of the video above to see the 4 ladies standing on the rostrum collectively ready for the chance to talk whereas music performs over the sound system. The gamers pose for a trophy shot then go away the rostrum as music continues to play.

Former Madrid champion Ons Jabeur Madrid's mute was "definitely unacceptable."

"Definitely unacceptable not to give the opportunity for players to speak," Jabeur stated. "I hope it's just a misunderstanding. I still don't have the full picture to see what happened exactly.

"I spoke to some gamers. We'll see what occurred. For certain I hope this factor won't ever occur once more."

Pegula, the 2022 Madrid singles finalist, said regardless of what tournament organizers say, their silencing action speaks volumes about their position on women's tennis.

"To be sincere, it type of spoke for itself. We had been upset when it occurred, particularly being advised through the trophy ceremony we weren't going to be allowed to talk," Pegula said. "We had been type of like, Well, I suppose this simply type of proves some extent. We did not actually do something, and right here we're. It type of speaks for itself.

"At the same time there was also that aspect where we were kind of like, Well, we don't have to say anything else. Everyone kind of picked up on it and was very disappointed."

Photo credit score: Getty

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