LEON
Verdasco upset with Barcelona Open officials
Ticker - Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Defending champion Fernando Verdasco is upset with Barcelona Open officials for failing to hold a wild card for him. Officials countered that the world No. 8 had plenty of time to directly enter the main draw. The Spaniard will instead play in Estoril, Portugal.
"The reason I’m not going Barcelona—ask the tournament officials who decide who they want to play," Verdasco told the Spanish press. "Nadal is coming back and there’s a person whom I’m not going to say who it is, but who has had no interest in me playing. I hate going places, especially in Spain, where they are not interested who plays. In Estoril, they are."
Verdasco is also upset that wild cards were handed out to non-Spaniards and added that the tournament doesn’t appreciate him even though he made a big effort to play it last year after Nadal pulled out.
"I am not vindictive or anything, but sad and disappointed with certain people who are responsible and Albert [Costa] because he has given priority to foreign players like Tsonga, Soderling instead of Spanish [players] and I think that is a mistake," he said.Costa, who is also Spain’s Davis Cup captain, said that Verdasco is still welcome at the event.—Matthew Cronin
Not offered a wildcard! They should, imo, always be allocated to home players first and especially former champions. This is ridiculous and I'm sorry to hear it. I wonder what the top Spaniards think about this and Feli thinks about this? Nothing against Soderling or Tsonga who are hardly likely to refuse. I was unaware Fer didn't officially commit, but surely there must have been valid reasons for him not doing so, no player chooses to lose 500 points.. The guy has always been committed to DC of which Albert Costa is captain, so what gives? As I recall, something similar happened to either Juan Carlos or Moya in a Spanish event some years ago. What does Costa mean exactly, still welcome at the event, in what capacity may I ask? I'm behind Verdasco on this one.
Posted by: Jenny | 04/06/2011 at 04:33 PM
Why wouldn't they give him a WC? Sounds fishy to me.
He's defending champion, he's a Spaniard and he's very popular. Doesn't sound right.
Posted by: Sol | 04/06/2011 at 11:37 PM
Ecactly, Sol. We don't know the full facts, but on the surface it makes no sense to me either. It would be like Queens Club not giving Murray a wildcard if he needed one. Barcelona's loss, Estoril's gain so they're probably pleased. If Verdasco wins the Estoril title, the most he can gain there are 250 points.
Posted by: Jenny | 04/07/2011 at 03:27 AM
Jenny maybe FeVer is just trying to avoid Milos who's also playing Estoril:)
Posted by: banti | 04/07/2011 at 11:43 AM
lol banti! Milos playing in Estoril? That means there might well be a clash on clay.
Posted by: Jenny | 04/07/2011 at 12:16 PM