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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 03: Feliciano Lopez (ESP) looks dejected against Karen Khachanov (RUS) during their Gentlemen’s Singles 2nd Round match on Day 3 of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 03: Feliciano Lopez (ESP) looks dejected against Karen Khachanov (RUS) during their Gentlemen’s Singles 2nd Round match on Day 3 of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
Spain’s Feliciano Lopez is a rare specimen in professional tennis, being both a player and a tournament director. But, when he took the commandership in Madrid, Lopez lost his chance to participate at the event. Given the situation, the 39-year-old talked about his dilemma in brief.
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Lopez was a part of Spain’s 5 of the 6 Davis Cup winning teams. He also has a 2016 French Open doubles title with Marc Lopez.
Although he carries the record number of losses on the ATP Tour, he maintains a strong game even today. However, despite his unrelenting desire, the Spaniard cannot play in his hometown event.
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MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 24: (L-R) Marcel Granollers, Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno Busta, Roberto Bautista Agut and Rafael Nadal pose for a photo as Roberto Bautista Agut lifts the trophy following their victory over Canada during Day Seven of the 2019 Davis Cup at La Caja Magica on November 24, 2019, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
“I didn’t want to fight it”: Feliciano Lopez
It is since last year that the Spaniard is the tournament director of the Mutua Madrid Open. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the event got canceled this year. On whether he asked for permission to play next season, he denied, “I’ve never asked.”
“From the first moment, I didn’t want to fight it. I asked about the example of Tommy Haas. I think he asked permission to play at Indian Wells and they said no,” explained Lopez.
The ATP has been stricter than any other sport organization in terms of keeping with rules and regulations. It directly corresponds with the royal heritage that is aligned with the game.
“It is the tournament that I most want to play”: Lopez
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A general view during the match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Francis Tiafoe of The United States during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 09, 2019, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Playing on a red clay court in Madrid gives a Spanish player more happiness than anywhere else in the world. Considering his age and the opportunities to play, Lopez might never play professionally on the Madrid court.
“It’s a shame because, at this point in my career, it is the tournament that I most want to play. Since I took on working as a director, I already knew that I couldn’t play it. I’ve gotten used to the idea and it’s something I don’t even want to think about anymore,” Feliciano concluded.
Feliciano surpassed Roger Federer at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships for most consecutive main-draw appearances. Currently at 74, the Toledo-born will want to make most of his remaining career as a player. But, painfully, he cannot play on his home turf as long as he remains its director.
Also Read: Feliciano Lopez Reveals the Impact of Rafael Nadal Playing the Mutua Madrid Open
