Madrid Open apologizes for silencing women's doubles finalists

The Madrid Open has apologized for not allowing the women’s doubles players to address the crowd during the awards ceremony after the final

The Madrid Open apologized on Thursday for not allowing the women’s doubles players to address the crowd during the awards ceremony after last weekend's final.

While the finalists of the men’s doubles and men’s and women’s singles were given the chance to talk to spectators following their matches, winners Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia and losing finalists Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula were oddly denied that customary honor after Sunday's final.

The circumstance was criticized by the players and bashed by fans on social media.

Four days after the incident, tournament CEO Gerard Tsobanian said it would never happen again.

“We offer our sincerest apologies to all the players and fans who expected more from the Madrid Open,” Tsobanian was quoted as saying on the tournament’s Twitter account.

“Not giving the chance to our finalists of women’s doubles to speak to fans after the match was unacceptable.”

After the final, Gauff lamented that she and the other players were not able to thank their fans for their support.