BARCELONA: Several members of Spain’s women’s team published a statement on Friday criticizing the Spanish football federation (RFEF) for claiming they had decided to retire from international duty and for making details public from an email they had sent.
Late on Thursday the RFEF published a statement implying 15 players were threatening not to play unless coach Jorge Vilda was sacked, criticizing them and saying they would not be considered for selection again unless they apologized and admitted their mistake.
However, the players, along with 2021 Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was not reported to be among those who sent the initial email to the RFEF, responded, saying they had not retired.
“In no case have we resigned from the Spanish national team as the RFEF points out in their official statement,” read the letter published by the players on social media.
“We have maintained and will continue to maintain an unquestionable commitment to the Spanish national team.
“That is why we requested, in our communication sent to the RFEF, not to be called up until situations are changed which affect our emotional and personal state, our performance, and consequently the results of the national team and could cause undesirable injuries.”
The players also denied asking for the dismissal of Vilda as was insinuated by the RFEF’s statement.
“We understand our job is not to choose who is in that position, but to express constructively and honestly what we consider can improve the performance of the group,” added the players.
The disagreement has been greeted in different ways, with Marca’s front page on Friday morning labelling the players’ actions “blackmail,” while former two-time women’s World Cup winner with the USA, Megan Rapinoe, backed the players with a message on Instagram.
“You got a 16th (player) standing with you in the US,” wrote Rapinoe.
“This many players together like this is so powerful. We should all listen.”
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Spanish women’s players hit back at RFEF after resignation claim
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Spanish women’s players hit back at RFEF after resignation claim
- Late on Thursday the RFEF published a statement implying 15 players were threatening not to play unless coach Jorge Vilda was sacked
- The players, along with 2021 Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas responded, saying they had not retired
Serena Williams refuses to rule out return to tennis
- The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has not competed since a third-round loss at the 2022 US Open
- She re-entered the tennis anti-doping testing pool in December, setting off the rumor mill
LOS ANGELES: Serena Williams has reignited speculation that she could make a return to tennis, refusing to rule it out when asked and instead replying: “I don’t know. I’m just going to see what happens.”
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, a 44-year-old mother-of-two, has not competed since a third-round loss at the 2022 US Open.
But she re-entered the tennis anti-doping testing pool in December, setting off the rumor mill, only to deny that she was making a comeback.
She was questioned about the prospect again on television show “Today” on Wednesday and while not confirming any plans, she also would not rule it out.
“I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now,” Williams said.
Pressed on whether that was a yes or no, she replied: “That’s not a yes or a no. I don’t know, I’m just going to see what happens.”
Asked why she had re-entered the drug-testing program, Williams said: “Did I re-enter? I didn’t know if I was out. Listen, I can’t discuss this.”
Williams’ sister Venus played at the ongoing Australian Open in Melbourne aged 45 after being handed a wildcard and was knocked out in the first round.
Venus also competed at tournaments in Auckland and Hobart after returning to tennis in July after almost two years away.
During the Australian Open, former world number one Jim Courier, now a commentator, noted how onerous it was for athletes to be on the anti-doping testing pool.
Once they are, they need to provide information about where and when they are available to give samples.
They need to complete testing for six months before being allowed to return to competition.
“No person that doesn’t have intentions to play professional tennis is going to put themselves in that list, especially someone who has as much experience doing it as Serena Williams,” Courier said.
“Serena denied (in December) she’s coming back, but I think unless she gets injured there is no doubt she’s going to play somewhere at some point.
“Whether that’s the mixed doubles at the US Open, whether that’s doubles with her sister somewhere, whether it’s singles, only she knows.
“But there’s no other way to interpret that.”
The Williams sisters won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a pair and three Olympic gold medals.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, a 44-year-old mother-of-two, has not competed since a third-round loss at the 2022 US Open.
But she re-entered the tennis anti-doping testing pool in December, setting off the rumor mill, only to deny that she was making a comeback.
She was questioned about the prospect again on television show “Today” on Wednesday and while not confirming any plans, she also would not rule it out.
“I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now,” Williams said.
Pressed on whether that was a yes or no, she replied: “That’s not a yes or a no. I don’t know, I’m just going to see what happens.”
Asked why she had re-entered the drug-testing program, Williams said: “Did I re-enter? I didn’t know if I was out. Listen, I can’t discuss this.”
Williams’ sister Venus played at the ongoing Australian Open in Melbourne aged 45 after being handed a wildcard and was knocked out in the first round.
Venus also competed at tournaments in Auckland and Hobart after returning to tennis in July after almost two years away.
During the Australian Open, former world number one Jim Courier, now a commentator, noted how onerous it was for athletes to be on the anti-doping testing pool.
Once they are, they need to provide information about where and when they are available to give samples.
They need to complete testing for six months before being allowed to return to competition.
“No person that doesn’t have intentions to play professional tennis is going to put themselves in that list, especially someone who has as much experience doing it as Serena Williams,” Courier said.
“Serena denied (in December) she’s coming back, but I think unless she gets injured there is no doubt she’s going to play somewhere at some point.
“Whether that’s the mixed doubles at the US Open, whether that’s doubles with her sister somewhere, whether it’s singles, only she knows.
“But there’s no other way to interpret that.”
The Williams sisters won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a pair and three Olympic gold medals.
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