Row over ‘sexist’ models at tennis tournament

20 October 2004

MADRID – A senior Spanish government official asked organisers of the Madrid Masters tennis tournament Wednesday to stop using models as ball-girls.

Second seed Andre Agassi has also expressed misgivings, saying he was not convinced that it was the way to promote tennis.

The arrival of the models, who wear short skirts and skin-tight black tops, has already stirred up controversy.

Some feared they were trivialising the game and might distract players.

Soledad Murillo, Spain’s Secretary for Equality, has complained the use of models was “sexist and unsporting”.

Murillo has sent a protest letter to the tournament director, a major sponsor and the Madrid mayor.

On court, where the tournament has reached the third round stage, the players are not convinced the models can do the job.

The models received only two weeks of training prior to the Madrid Masters.

After a match in which the umpire had to remind a confused ball-girl to return to the side of the net, Andre Agassi said he was less than impressed.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news