Vasek Pospisil lost his first match against Mackenzie McDonald at the Miami Open 2021. In a topsy-turvy battle, the Canadian tennis player lost the first and the last set of the match. The final scoreline of the match was 3-6, 6-4, 3-6.
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However, this is not the reason why the match made the news. Vasek Pospisil suffered a meltdown during the match and started abusing the chair during the match. He even went on to say harsh things about the ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi and claimed that Gaudenzi accused him of uniting the players in yesterday’s meeting.
Stunningly, Pospisil was so angry that he hit a ball outside and even smashed his racket. As a result, he faced repercussions for the same.
He, along with Novak Djokovic, surely doesn’t have a cordial relationship with the ATP and the two have advocated for the formation of a separate governing body, the PTPA, that players will head.
After the meltdown, many players come in the support of Vasek Pospisil
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 24, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Vasek Pospisil of Canada serves against Mackenzie McDonald of the United States (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
After his meltdown, many players came in the support of Vasek Pospisil. Milos Raonic took his side and wrote, “Player unity is needed now more than ever. Voices need to be heard, respected, and acknowledged Don’t try to silence them, but work with them.”
Player unity is needed now more than ever. Voices need to be heard, respected and acknowledged Don’t try to silence them, but work with them #playersvoice
Former World No.8 John Isner also supported Pospisil and wrote, “What happened with Vasek Pospisil was unfortunate. Emotions got the best of him, and unfortunately, that happens sometimes. Fact remains that he’s spent countless hours fighting on behalf of his colleagues on the ATP Tour. Better days ahead for Vasek and the players.”
What happened with @VasekPospisil was unfortunate. Emotions got the best of him, and unfortunately, that happens sometimes. Fact remains that hes spent countless hours fighting on behalf of his colleagues on the ATP Tour. Better days ahead for Vasek and the players. #playersvoice
I want to sincerely apologize for my behavior on the court in Miami earlier today. I disrespected the game I love and for that I am truly sorry. By way of explanation, I felt deeply unnerved during a meeting between players and ATP executives last night, and.. [1/2]
Doubles player Rajeev Ram expressed that all players need to raise their voice in support of Pospisil. The American tweeted, “What happened to Vasek could have happened to any one of us. It was not right and it needs to change.”
What happened to Vasek could have happened to any one of us. It was not right and it needs to change. #playersvoice
I want to sincerely apologize for my behavior on the court in Miami earlier today. I disrespected the game I love and for that I am truly sorry. By way of explanation, I felt deeply unnerved during a meeting between players and ATP executives last night, and.. [1/2]
Tennis player Ivo Karlovic also urged that after the incident, players do need an association of their own.
Unfortunate what happened on court with Pospisil. I was not at the meeting but, from what I heard from players that were there, it’s now more obvious than ever that we need a players only association. #playersvoice #ptpa
Ryan Harrison claimed that Pospisil is a really nice man and it is time that the governing bodies listen to the voices of the players as well.
. @VasekPospisil is a great guy with a huge heart. He has spent countless hours and headaches on behalf of all players. The stress of what you bring onto the court can be overwhelming while under pressure playing. It’s time that the players voices are heard. #playersvoice #PTPA
I want to sincerely apologize for my behavior on the court in Miami earlier today. I disrespected the game I love and for that I am truly sorry. By way of explanation, I felt deeply unnerved during a meeting between players and ATP executives last night, and.. [1/2]
American tennis player Steve Johnson quoted that it is time for the players to come and stand together.
We need to start supporting player unity on the ATP Tour. With the events that took place in Miami with our leadership we need more now than ever a #playersvoice time for the players to stand together!!
Spanish tennis player Feliciano Lopez also urged players to unite and said that they have achieved many things over the years by staying together.
Rajeev, you’re a wise man..only some players voice and although the message is popular there’s no substance behind it.. We can’t forget how much we’ve achieved in recent years by the fact of staying together .
What happened to Vasek could have happened to any one of us. It was not right and it needs to change. #playersvoice
Vasek Pospisil’s meltdown has surely brought a lot of tennis players in his support. The ATP is yet to clear its stand on the issue because of which the fans are also in a dilemma over the subject. However, they hope that things clear out soon between the ATP and the players.