'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2023 Madrid Open finalists in the men’s and women’s draws, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka respectively, both celebrated their birthday on May 5th. However, several fans were angered by the difference in the cakes that the two World No. 2s got from the tournament organizers, with some calling it misogynistic.
Sabalenka, who faces World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the final on Saturday celebrated her 25th birthday on May 5th. Spanish sensation Alcaraz celebrated his 20th on the same day, which saw him earn a semifinal victory over Borna Coric.
But fans were surprised at seeing the pictures of the tennis stars’ birthday cakes, as Alcaraz's birthday cake looked much bigger and grander than Sabalenka's. One fan called the difference “astounding” and said the sport was showing its misogynistic side.
Trending
Some fans also pointed out that Sabalenka and Alcaraz have the same number of Grand Slam titles and are ranked the same, and that the Belarusian in fact has more 1000 titles.
“the difference in cake size is astounding,” one fan wrote with a picture of both cakes.
“they're ranked the same and have the same amount of slams, aryna even has more masters (not after sunday tho) but anyways i'm calling misogyny,” another commented.
One fan opined that the organizers in Madrid has never taken the WTA seriously.
“This represents way more than the cake in my opinion, you have to really look at Madrid and it’s history of not taking the WTA seriously,” they wrote.
Another recalled that Sabalenka did not even get a celebration two years ago while Alcaraz got one despite losing his match the same day.
“They did this two years ago also when Aryna played on her birthday she didn’t even get a cake but Carlos got a whole celebration after his loss,” they wrote.
Here are more reactions from irate tennis fans to the treatment of the two players.
“After Australian Open, everything changed” - Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka reached her second final of the WTA 1000 event in Madrid by dispatching Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1 in the semifinals. During her post-match interview, the Belarusian said that winning her maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne this January changed everything for her.
"After Australian Open I think, yeah, I think everything changed then. I feel like a different person. I look at the tennis a little bit differently," said the 25-year-old.
On Saturday, Aryna Sabalenka will have a chance to avenge her 2023 Stuttgart Open final loss to Iga Swiatek, as they face off once again in the 2023 Madrid Open final.
