By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday, October 17, 2022
Andrea Seppi, a former World No.18 who once played 66 consecutive Grand Slam main draws, has bit back at the Italian Tennis Federation after he was denied wild card requests at Florence and Naples.
The 38-year-old, who plans to end his professional career at the Ortisei Challenger in northern Italy next week, said his request was denied by the Federation because they wanted to keep slots open for younger players.
“I would have loved to play in the Florence or Naples tournament for my farewell to professional tennis” wrote Seppi. “But unfortunately the Italian Tennis Federation did not allow me to, saying that ‘Giving a wild card to a retiring player would have been a waste.’”
The loss of Florence and Naples is the gain of the Ortisei Challenger.
Seppi, who owns 10 Top-10 wins and defeated Roger Federer in the third round at the 2015 Australian Open, says he plans to take part in the event next week to make it his official farewell.
“It’s been a difficult season, especially in terms of my physical condition,” Seppi wrote on Instagram. “Many ailments and little continuity. I realized that my body can no longer bear certain efforts and I have decided that the tournament in Ortisei will be my last one as a professional.”
Seppi, who has reached the second week at the majors on six occasions, owns 386 wins on tour.
The Italian was given support by Aussie John Millman, who called the decision by the ITF a “joke.”
“Andreas Seppi not getting a wildcard into a tour event in Italy to end his career is a joke,” he said. “The guy has had a brilliant career, represented his country at Davis Cups and Olympic Games and the Italian Federation can’t give a WC? Pretty pathetic.”