Italian tennis star Andreas Seppi won’t be able to play one last time in front of his home crowd. The Italian tennis federation has denied him a wildcard. The former Italian number 1 tennis player wanted to play one last time in his home tour-level tournament in either Florence or Naples.
However, the 38-year-old gave a grim update about the decision from the Italian Tennis Federation on Instagram. While the retiring tennis star expressed his grief, fans fumed over the disrespect shown to him.
Fans fume as Andreas Seppi doesn’t get a wildcard entry for a last tournament at home
After the Italian Tennis Federation rejected his request for a wildcard entry, the 38-year-old took to his Instagram stories and wrote,
Andreas Seppi on his IG stories
pic.twitter.com/rwWopz9vxh
— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) October 16, 2022
“I would have loved to play in the Florence or Naples tournament for my farewell to professional tennis. But unfortunately, the Italian Tennis Federation did not allow me to. Saying that giving a Wild Card to a retiring player would have been a waste.”
The news made his fans furious who took to Twitter to express their displeasure about the decision. Here’s how the fans reacted.
Reacting to the decision, a fan wrote,
It's one of those rare cases where it WOULDN'T be a waste. He deserves better. https://t.co/h762S5rWkk
— Joanna
(@jesna3) October 17, 2022
Another sad fan wrote,
Wow, this is so sad https://t.co/uMMUAOzJk5
— Tobi (@Oloridivatee) October 16, 2022
“Disgraceful #ATPTour @atptour,” another fan tweeted.
Disgraceful #ATPTour @atptour https://t.co/57nfU8OGr8
— Saba Alissa (@Alissa1Saba) October 16, 2022
Slamming the decision makers, another fan wrote,
This really is just… ridiculous
There are too many of these nepotistic 'higher-ups' in positions of power in tennis making asinine decisions & obviously not knowing a damn thing about tennis.. #Seppi deserved better. @federtennis @atptour https://t.co/ZGn0zErjYY
— S
(@Eneri918) October 16, 2022
Recalling Seppi’s contribution to the Italian tennis a fan wrote,
Cómo le van a hacer esto a ANDREAS que fue una de las dos principales caras del tenis masculino italiano durante un montón de años cuando todavía no tenían tantos jugadores cómo ahora? https://t.co/oZUI4nFGVx
— SvenARG (@SvenARG) October 16, 2022
Another angry fan tweeted,
Ma povero, che stronzi però! https://t.co/C9vzFtxj9f
— Kim (@kimforaday_) October 16, 2022
“The utter disrespect. Thanks for all Andreas. And all the best #Tennis #AndreasSeppi,” another fan wrote.
The utter disrespect
. Thanks for all Andreasand all the best #Tennis #AndreasSeppi https://t.co/OZxwFvlGI4
— Millesime93 (@millesime93) October 16, 2022
Italian Tennis getting mad greedy these days, ur nothing without ur players https://t.co/hruNp2FWgt
— Lara (@sportballunited) October 16, 2022
What a shitty take by Italian tennis. https://t.co/hbRUkKzGVx
— Tennis Pig (@TennisPig) October 16, 2022
nooo wtf that's so sad and also fuxk them for not even giving him that one last chance https://t.co/Jk5lQVtp4d
— 𝐣𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 misses roger (@subtleblossomv2) October 16, 2022
Seppi’s best ATP rank was 18th, which he reached back in 2013. Also, he is the first Italian tennis player ever to win titles on all three surfaces. The way the Italian Tennis Federation has treated him is definitely sad and sets a poor example. Recently, when Serena Williams retired at the US Open 2022, the Arthur Ashe stadium was full to pay its tribute to the retiring legend.
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Although we can’t compare the two players, Seppi at least deserved the chance to say goodbye in front of his home crowd. What do you think about the federation’s decision? Let us know in the comments.
The post ‘F**k Them for Not Even Giving Him That One Last Chance’ – Fans Blast ‘Greedy’ Move From Italian Tennis Federation as Aged Veteran’s Post Goes Viral appeared first on EssentiallySports.
