from SportsNewser:
Patrick McEnroe, the respected tennis commentator and head of the USTA’s player development program, took exception to Donald Young, a 21-year-old relative unknown, who went on Twitter and blasted the organization for not giving him a wild-card slot to the French Open. Young, who’s received at least 13 wild-card slots from the USTA in recent years, was given the same chance as everyone else: Win a specific qualifying tournament and you’re in; lose and you’re guaranteed nothing. Well, Young lost in the finals of that qualifying tournament on Friday, and then he went on Twitter and lost his head:
“(Expletive) USTA! Their full of (expletive)! They have (expletive) me for the last time!” Young wrote shortly after his loss to Tim Smyczek.
McEnroe felt quite strongly that Young was biting the hand that feeds him, and he called on Young to apologize. Otherwise, the USTA would break off the relationship.
“I’m offended for people on our team that have worked very hard,” McEnroe said. “When he said what he said, it was taken quite personally by members of the player development team. I think Donald should apologize for what he said. At that point, we can all move on.”
Young did apologize – sort of. And naturally he did it on Twitter.
“That tweet was out of character. ive never been like that before. but im tired of it. sry about the language, but not the thought behind it.”
Soon thereafter Young closed his Twitter account.
I have to agree with Donald, here. You should be allowed into the French Open, even if you lose your qualifying match. Especially if you surrender.
