2023 Madrid Open

**2023 Madrid Open** was a professional clay tournament during the 2023 season. It was held at the Caja Mágica in Madrid, Spain.

## "Cake-gate" Controversy

Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz both celebrated their birthdays during the tournament, on May 5, and were each given a cake by tournament organizers. Backlash ensued when Twitter user, @slaylorfritz, posted photos of the two cakes side-by-side to highlight the size difference between the two: Sabalenka had received a regular-sized cake, while Alcaraz was given a double-tiered cake. This subsequently led to many allegations of sexism, further fueled by the fact that Sabalenka and Alcaraz were each ranked No. 2 and had won one Grand Slam singles title at the time of the tournament.

Victoria Azarenka had responded to this controversy on Twitter, stating, "Couldn't be more accurate on the treatment." Shortly afterwards, tournament director Feliciano López responded to Azarenka's Tweet, claiming to be surprised by the reaction while asserting that Alcaraz's cake was larger due to the tournament being held in his native Spain. In the same Tweet, López joked that he hoped Holger Rune wasn't "upset by his treatment", as Rune also celebrated his birthday during the tournament and was given a cake which was smaller than Sabalenka's. Sabalenka would later win the tournament, and in reference to this affair, suggested that her cake helped her to win in her victory speech.

During the women's doubles awards ceremony, which was held the day after the women's singles awards ceremony, none of the finalists were given the opportunity to address the crowd as is customary during major tennis events. This contrasted with the awards ceremony for the men's doubles event, which was held the previous day, as the finalists there were allowed to address the crowd. It should be noted that Azarenka had won the women's doubles event with partner Beatriz Haddad Maia, which lead many to speculate that the tournament directors had kept the women's doubles finalists from speaking in an effort to retaliate against Azarenka's aforementioned Tweet. Another women's doubles finalist, Jessica Pegula, had stated the following:

Even in a 10k Challenger final, you would speak. I don't know what century everyone was living in when they made that decision or how they actually had a conversation and decided, like, 'Wow, this is a great decision we're going to do and there's going to be no backlash against this.' [Eurosport]

## Men's Singles Results

Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain successfully defended his title while dropping two sets. Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany became the first lucky loser to reach a Masters final. Struff had lost to Aslan Karatsev of Russia in the qualifiers, and would later defeat Karatsev in his semifinal match.

## Women's Singles Results

Defending champion Ons Jabeur of Tunisia withdrew from the tournament due to an injury to her left calf. Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka won the tournament, dropping one set en route. Sabalenka had lost in the first round to American Amanda Anisimova in three sets the previous year.

## Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023\_Mutua\_Madrid\_Open

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023\_Mutua\_Madrid\_Open\_%E2%80%93\_Men%27s\_singles

https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/madrid/esp/2023/m-1000-esp-01a-2023/draws-and-results/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022\_Mutua\_Madrid\_Open\_%E2%80%93\_Women%27s\_singles

https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/madrid/esp/2023/w-pm-esp-01a-2023/draws-and-results/

https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/wta-madrid/2023/cake-gate-and-sad-lack-of-speeches-after-women-s-doubles-final-madrid-open-controversy-explained\_sto9594702/story.shtml

https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-i-m-calling-misogyny-tennis-fans-angered-difference-birthday-cake-size-aryna-sabalenka-carlos-alcaraz

https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-aryna-sabalenka-brings-cake-situation-winning-madrid-open

https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-done-lost-mind-tournament-tennis-fans-fuming-madrid-open-women-s-doubles-finalists-prevented-making-speeches-presentation

https://www.tennismajors.com/wta-tour-news/madrid-mutua-open-wta-1000/pegula-hits-out-at-madrid-trophy-ceremony-i-dont-know-what-century-everyone-was-living-in-678491.html