Madrid Open apologises for denying women’s double finalists’ speeches Madrid Open organisers apologised Thursday after not allowing the women’s double finalists to make speeches after the match at the tournament last week, amid allegations of sexism. The mens’ doubles finalists were allowed to speak to the crowd after their matches. Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia beat Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff in the women’s final on Sunday but were not given a microphone to let them address the crowd. “We sincerely apologise to all the players and fans who expect more of the Mutua Madrid Open tournament,” said Madrid Open CEO Gerard Tsobanian in a statement on Twitter. “Not giving our women’s doubles finalists the chance to address their fans at the end of the match was unacceptable and we have apologised directly to Victoria, Beatriz, Coco and Jessica.” Tsobanian said the tournament was working with the WTA to improve their process in the future. “We made a mistake and this will not ever happen again,” he added. American player Pegula criticised the tournament at a news conference in Rome on Tuesday. “Did I think we were not going to be able to speak? No. I’ve never heard of that, like, in my life,” she said. “I don’t know what century everyone was living in when they made that decision.” Women’s singles finalist Iga Swiatek had criticised the tournament in her speech on Saturday over their late finishes, saying it was “not fun” to play at 1am (2300GMT). Winner Aryna Sabalenka joked about a birthday cake she was given the day before in her speech, which was smaller than the one the tournament gave men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz. The Madrid Open also face complaints about the ball girl’s outfits, which some fans said were “sexualised”. AFP Follow us for more