Serena Williams is not part of the Madrid Open acceptance list. Serena’s absence is not a surprise after her row against the owner of the tournament Ion Tiriac. Serena’s husband, Alexis Ohanian, even called the Romanian a “sexist/racist clown” in one of his tweets.
What happened
At the beginning of the year, for some reason, Tiriac stated that “At her age and with the weight that she [Serena] now has, she doesn’t move as well as she did 15 years ago. Serena was a sensational player. But if she had some decency, she would resign. From all angles.”
While Serena seemed to have shrugged off Tiriac’s comments, her husband didn’t go light to say: “Safe to say no one gives a damn what Ion Țiriac thinks.”
Safe to say no one gives a damn what Ion Țiriac thinks.
— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) January 4, 2021
Later, Alexis branded Ion as a clown with his “sexist/racist” behavior.
Had to Google it… turns out my 3 year old has more Grand Slam victories than this 🤡🤡 pic.twitter.com/Q2pgsNWFAj
— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) January 4, 2021
Later Ohanian added:
“2021 and no holding back when a racist/sexist clown with a platform comes for my family.”
2021 and no holding back when a racist/sexist clown with a platform comes for my family.
— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) January 4, 2021
“This is my wife. I have a platform. I have privilege. If I can use my platform + privilege to make a billionaire even a little uncomfortable about racist + sexist statements he’s made, it’s a win. Bonus is that other people will see it and reflect on it.”
This is my wife.
I have a platform.
I have privilege.
If I can use my platform + privilege to make a billionaire even a little uncomfortable about racist + sexist statements he's made, it's a win. Bonus is that other people will see it and reflect on it.— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) February 16, 2021
Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka and Cori Gauff in
Serena is the only top40 player not to be in the acceptance list. While it is a pity not to have the American legend part of this event, the fans will have plenty of opportunities to see the very best of the sport in action. Fortunately the likes of Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka and Cori Gauff will be part of he main draw.
Serena Williams in 2021
At the moment ranked no.7, the American played her last match on the 18th of February when she surrendered to world no.2 Naomi Osaka 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).
This season Serena has achieved a composed 8-1 match record. Serena Williams’s best accomplishment of the present year was reaching the semifinal in Melbourne and at the Australian Open.
Barty in Miami, ranking, and results in 2021
Ranked world no.1, the Australian achieved a 12-2 match record in 2021. Ashleigh is currently playing in Miami where she ousted Kristina Kucova 6-3 4-6 7-5, Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-2, Victoria Azarenka 6-1 1-6 6-2 and Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 6-75 6-3.
Ashleigh Barty will compete against the world no.5 Elina Svitolina in the semifinal. Their actual record is 5-1 for Svitolina.
Ashleigh has won 1 title in 2021 in Melbourne.
Ashleigh won 9 titles in her career: 5 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)
Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty played each other just on 2 occasions. Their current record is 2-0 for Williams. Previously, the last time they played, Serena Williams won 3-6 6-3 6-4 in the 2nd round in Paris (French Open) in May 2018.
Osaka in Miami, ranking, and results in 2021
Now the world no.2, Naomi achieved a composed 12-0 win-loss record in 2021. Naomi is playing in Miami where she defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 7-63 6-4, Nina Stojanovic w/o and Elise Mertens 6-3 6-3.
Naomi Osaka will compete against the world no.25 Maria Sakkari in the quarter on Wednesday at 1:00 pm on Grandstand. Their actual record is 3-1 for Osaka.
Osaka has won 1 title in 2021 at the Australian Open.
Naomi won 7 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Cori Gauff in 2021
Currently ranked no.36, the American played her last match on the 25th of March when she lost to world no.57 Anastasija Sevastova 1-6 6-2 6-3 in the 2nd round in Miami (draw).
This year the American has a 11-6 win-loss record. Cori Gauff’s best result of the current year was reaching the semifinal in Adelaide.
Naomi Osaka and Cori Gauff played each other twice. The head to head is 1-1. Previously, the last time they squared off, Cori Gauff won 6-3 6-4 in the 3rd round in Melbourne (Australian Open) in January 2020.
Here the video highlights.
