Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. HOME News Politics Royal Showbiz & TV Sport Comment Finance Travel Life & Style Football Tennis Transfer news F1 Boxing UFC Cricket Rugby Other Golf NFL Racing NBA Tennis stars have often complained about the condition of some of the ITF tour courts. 22: 05, Fri, Feb 2, 2024 | UPDATED: 22: 09, Fri, Feb 2, 2024
Tennis star Prisacariu Andreea fears she will break a leg on a hazardous court (Image: Getty)
Tennis star Prisacariu Andreea has alleged that the ITF would not “give a damn” if a player broke a leg on one of the hazardous courts in Hammamet. Videos of the clay courts in Tunisia have gone viral on social media due to their poor condition.
Argentine star Juan Pablo Paz was the first player to tweet a video of the courts. The clip, allegedly sent to the 29-year-old by Romanian player Filip Jianu, shows that the Hammamet courts were uneven and covered in divots.
Paz wrote: “Now that I am no longer part of the ITF I can express myself freely again. This video was sent to me by Filip Jianu, a Romanian player who is currently 376 ATP.
“This is a MATCH court at the ITF M25 in Hammamet, where four consecutive tournament weeks will be played.
“For a professional match to be played on a court like this is INSANITY and a LACK OF RESPECT towards tennis players on the part of both the tournament organisers and the ITF.”
The poor-quality Hammamet courts have gone viral on social media (Image: X)
The video was picked up by tennis journalist Jose Morgado, who pointed out that the Hammamet courts will host a series of tournaments over the coming weeks. Four-time ITF title winner Andreea hit out at the organisers, calling the state of the court ‘disrespectful’ to players.
The world No. 327 replied to Morgado: “At this point this is not even respectful anymore. Just embarrassing to even look at this. [You] could easily break a leg there and no one would give a damn.”
Courts on the ITF tour have been strongly criticised by players in recent months. Last September, former world No. 3 Stan Wawrinka called on the governing body to comment after the state of a playing surface in Albuquerque was slammed by British player Finn Bass.
Ahora que ya no formo más parte de la ITF puedo volver a expresarme con libertad.
Este vídeo me lo mando Filip Jianu jugador rumano que está actualmente 376 ATP.
Esta es una cancha de PARTIDO en el ITF M25 de Hammamet ������������ ������ (donde se van a jugar 4 semanas de torneo seguidas)… pic.twitter.com/jVhf0WmWuE
— Juan Pablo Paz (@Juanp_paz) February 1, 2024 Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loadingAt this point this is not even respectful anymore. Just embarrassing to even look at this. U could easily break a leg there and no one would give a damn.
— Prisacariu Andreea (@IamPrisacariuA) February 2, 2024 Sharing images of the poor-quality courts, Bass wrote on X: “Do better @ITFTennis @usta.
“Completely unacceptable conditions here at M15 Albuquerque, can evidently see the courts are not playable in any way shape or form. Absolutely no respect or care for player welfare and how much money we spend to compete in these tournaments.”
Wawrinka raised awareness of Bass’ post by quote-tweeting it with a facepalm emoji and the caption: “@ITFTennis Care to comment?”
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