It’s hard to keep up with the scandals at the Madrid Open. It seems tournament director Feliciano Lopez is in over his head handling the number of issues that have come up in 2 weeks.

Cake Gate

Hometown hero Carlos Alcaraz gets a giant cake rolled onto the court. Others such as Aryna Sabalenka got a much smaller cake. Fans and players were quick to call out the tournament on how women are treated.

Female models

The tournament used models in skimpy outfits as ballgirls. It’s not the first time the tournament has tried this. This didn’t go well this time either. After the outrage, the tournament had models wearing capris instead of short skirts.

Bad Scheduling

Madrid Open had bad schedules with matches ending at 1 am with a lot of dead time during the day.

Women’s doubles finalists were not allowed to give a speech

Women’s doubles finalists were not allowed to speak during the trophy presentation. Obviously, men’s doubles finalists got to give a speech.

Watering the court to help Carlos Alcaraz

Fans didn’t miss the fact that the court was watered heavily in the final match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jan-Lennard Struff. Many fans criticized the tournament because slowing down the court helps Alcaraz.

Have you wondered who pays for the loading costs of tennis players?

Main draw players get a complimentary double room (2 beds). The room must be occupied by the registered players. Some tournaments offer houses instead of hotel rooms.

Top players have a lot of staff – coaches, physiotherapists, and nutritionists. The tournament only pays for the player’s lodging, the players foot the bill for the staff.

ATP Tour Master 1000 tournaments Main Draw Players

Singles players get a room the Friday before the tournament begins and are guaranteed a room for 7 nights (even if the player loses before the 7 days). Beyond 7 days, lodging costs are covered until the night player plays his last match.

ATP Tour Master 500 tournaments main draw players

Singles players get a room the Friday before the tournament begins and are guaranteed a room for 6 nights (even if the player loses before the 6 days). Beyond 6 days, lodging costs are covered until the night player plays his last match.

ATP Tour Master 250 tournaments main draw players

Singles players get a room the Saturday before the tournament begins and are guaranteed a room for 5 nights (even if the player loses before the 5 days). Beyond 5 days, lodging costs are covered until the night player plays his last match.

Challenger Tour tournaments

Singles players get a room the Saturday before the tournament begins and are guaranteed a room for 5 nights (even if the player loses before the 5 days). Beyond 5 days, lodging costs are covered until the night player plays his last match.