The Madrid Open finds itself embroiled in controversy once more, reminiscent of last year’s backlash when doubles finalists and winners were denied podium speaking opportunities.

The current furor centers on allegations that the tournament is depriving women’s players of on-site practice time, instead instructing them to practice offsite between 9 am and 5 pm, under vastly different conditions. Ons Jabeur expressed her dismay during a post-match conference, stating, “I feel like we have a long way to go, 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.”

Despite the outcry, tournament director Feliciano Lopez contends that the event is actively working to improve. He highlighted that the Madrid Open was the first to offer equal prize money to both men and women. However, he conceded that there is room for improvement.

“I think we made a few mistakes last year that shouldn’t have happened. We learn from our mistakes, but I must emphasize that we were the first tournament to award the same prize money to women and men. So, I don’t believe it’s fair for anyone to suggest that we do not treat men and women equally. I think we are doing a great job in that regard,” Lopez remarked.

In 2023, the tournament was embroiled in the Cake-gate scandal, as Carlos Alcaraz received a significantly larger birthday cake during the event compared to Aryna Sabalenka.

In the world of professional tennis, where athletes jet-set across the globe, living out of suitcases and competing in tournaments, there exists a peculiar phenomenon: many tennis players don’t possess driving licenses. This seemingly odd situation is a result of their unique lifestyle and the perks that come with being a top-tier tennis player.

One of the primary reasons tennis players often forego obtaining a driving license is their frequent travel schedule. Unlike most people who have a home base and a regular routine, tennis players are constantly on the move, traveling from one tournament to another. As such, they often find it impractical to maintain a car or bother with the process of obtaining a license, as they rarely spend enough time in one place to justify the effort.

Instead of driving themselves, tennis players rely on a network of tournament drivers and chauffeurs provided by the tournaments or their sponsors. These drivers ensure that the players are transported safely and comfortably between their accommodations, practice courts, and tournament venues. This arrangement not only frees the players from the responsibility of driving but also allows them to focus more on their game and physical preparation.

Perhaps the most amusing aspect of this situation occurs when tournaments offer cars as prizes for winning. It’s a comical sight to see a victorious tennis player, celebrated for their exceptional skill on the court, handed the keys to a brand-new car, only to realize that they have no use for it because they can’t drive.