Denis Shapovalov has called out London’s Queen’s Club for their sexist rule that restricts female players from training.
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“Ironic that @TheQueensClub is named after a powerful, extraordinary woman yet is openly discriminating against professional female tennis players by not allowing them to train at the club when they need to prepare for @Wimbledon. Time to review this policy #tennis #genderequality,” the Canadian tweeted.
Shapovalov is currently in a relationship with WTA player Mirjam Bjorklund.
Ironic that @TheQueensClub is named after a powerful, extraordinary woman yet is openly discriminating against professional female tennis players by not allowing them to train at the club when they need to prepare for @Wimbledon. Time to review this policy #tennis #genderequality
— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) June 17, 2022
The Canadian is competing at the grasscourt tournament at Queen’s Club, which is an ATP-only event.
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“During the first five days of the tournament, the courts on site are solely for the use of ATP members,” the club retorted in a statement.
“There are numerous other grass courts in London available to professional players who wish to train on grass.”
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ATP players who lose in the early rounds are allowed to train at the venue, which is a private club. But female players are restricted from training.
Shapovalov, who has had an up and down year, hasn’t had a great grass season so far.
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He lost in the opening round of singles in the two Wimbledon tune-up events he has played so far.
While the 23-year-old lost 7-6, 7-6 to Oscar Otte in Stuttgart, he went down 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 to American Tommy Paul at Queen’s.
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