'I don’t think it’s fair' Tournament director responds to Ons Jabeur’s criticism about treatment of female players at Madrid Open

Furthermore, the 29-year-old stated that the women playing should deserve the respect that they are lacking and also lamented the lack of coverage of WTA games. 

I feel like we have a long way, especially here in Madrid and in Rome - in Europe in general. I feel they need to respect women more and they need to respect how we are playing,  Said Ons Jabeur in the post-match conference at the Madrid Open

The same was told to the tournament director, who had a few words to say in response. The Spaniard agreed that there were a few regrettable incidents that took place last year but claimed that the whole team is working towards the problem and has learned from their mistakes. 

Yeah, I think we did a few things last year that, I mean, shouldn't happen. I have to say and we learn from our mistakes, but I have to say that we were the first tournament to pay the same price money to women and men and so I don't think it's very fair for someone to think that we are not men and women equally, so we're doing a great job, I think in that matter, Said tournament director Feliciano Lopez

The Spaniard also stood by his case and claimed that he understood where Jabeur’s frustration was coming from and that they were trying to be equal with both men and women. Furthermore, he also lingered over the 2023 doubles controversy. 

Feliciano Lopez accepted and apologized for last year’s women’s doubles controversy

Madrid Open director Feliciano Lopez had a few answers to Ons Jabeur’s comments on the indifferent treatment of women in this tournament. Having answered that, he moved on to the next controversial situation, the 2023 Women’s Doubles Final. 

Last year, I have to accept that there is things that, for example, that the issue with the doubles finals. We apologise and, and we move on and everyone's happy. We have meetings with WTA players, ATP players always willing to help, and think this is the most important thing that we can move on. And, there's a lot of things that we can still do in the future.    Said Lopez via Sky Sports

That incident sparked the interest of many tennis critics, who noticed the indifferent treatment. Women’s doubles reigning champions Beatriz Haddad-Maia and Victoria Azarenka beat the dream pair of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in last year’s finals. However, after the match, they were not allowed to address the crowd, which sparked much controversy. 

Having accepted and apologized for his mistake, the Spaniard hopes the situation in this tournament improves. There have been no complaints from many women except at the beginning, and fans hope that everything changes by next year.