Dominic Thiem, who lost, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, to Fernando Verdasco, was frustrated by organizers keeping players on site until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and then releasing them into heavy traffic caused by a nearby soccer game — Lazio winning the Coppa Italia title over Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico, adjacent to the Foro Italico tennis complex.
The added traffic made the short trip to his hotel last one and a half hours. His match on Thursday was scheduled for 10 a.m.
“I really dislike how we players get treated at this tournament,” Thiem said. “Because yesterday was, in my opinion, not acceptable.”
Second-seeded Simona Halep, who had made the Italian Open finals for two consecutive years, lost, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, to Marketa Vondrousova. But she seemed almost relieved to be able to leave the tournament early. Reaching the final again would have required five matches in four days before she could start her defense of the French Open title.
“I’m lucky to escape,” Halep said. “Of course, I didn’t want to lose today. But, yeah, it’s a tough thing now.”
Victoria Azarenka, who played only once on Thursday after completing her second-round match on Tuesday, recognized the benefit to ticketholders of stars like herself playing on general-admission courts.
“I think for players it was a little bit tough,” she said, “but I think it’s an amazing day for the fans.”
Source : NYtimes
