Renowned tennis coach and commentator Brad Gilbert has come in for criticism from 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova following his comments on her withdrawal from the US Open.
Former World Number 6 Vondrousova has endured an injury hit 2025 season owing to a long-standing shoulder problem.
The Czech tennis player enjoyed a fine run at the US Open, though injury again pre-maturely ended her tournament.
Vondrousova was unseeded at the US Open having dropped to number 60 in the WTA rankings but eliminated three seeded players on her way to the quarter-finals.
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The 26-year-old beat Mccartney Kessler, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina, dropping only one set in her opening four matches.
Vondrousova forced out of US Open due to injury
However, Vondrousova was then forced to withdraw from the tournament having suffered a knee problem just hours before her quarter-final meeting with World Number 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
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Sabalenka went on to win the US Women’s singles final on Saturday as she beat American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 on her way to a fourth grand slam triumph.
Sabalenka, who was informed of Vondrousova’s withdrawal just minutes before their quarter-final showdown, was supportive of her rival, stating on her Instagram: “So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her. Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly. Love Aryna.”
And Gilbert was initially positive over Vondrousova’s injury, posting on X: “Such a bummer for Vondrousova who has battled so many injuries in her career, was back playing very good ball again, hopefully not a serious injury.”
Gilbert criticised Czech star
However, the American changed his tune on Andy Roddick’s ‘Served’ podcast, as he expected his annoyance at players pulling out of a tournament due to injury, only to play a week later.
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“I do get totally annoyed now about players pulling a rip cord in the middle of a match and then they play next week,” Gilbert added.
“It is a really weird thing that a guy is pulling a rip cord in the third or fourth round and then literally it wasn’t that bad that you could play next week, or you are playing the doubles the next day.
“There should be a rule against that if you pull out of a match, you can’t play next week.”
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Vondrousova is not scheduled to play in the WTA Tour this coming week, and expressed her annoyance with Gilbert’s comments via a reshare on her Instagram Story, stating: “Let’s give athletes hell for being injured, I’m disgusted with Brad too.”
Vondrousova is on the entry list for the WTA 1000 China Open, though she is yet to confirm whether she will take part following her latest injury setback.
Ben McAleer