Australian tennis star John Millman has criticized the “disrespectful” decision by the Italian Tennis Federation toward Italian pro-Andreas Seppi. The federation denied Seppi’s request for a wildcard that would allow him to retire in front of his home crowd in either one of the ATP events in Florence last week or Naples this week.
Seppi, who was defeated by Swedish prodigy Mikael Ymer in the qualifiers of the Firenze Open in Florence earlier this month, had initially planned to bid his farewell to professional tennis in one of the ATP events this month. Unfortunately, the Italian Tennis Federation (FIT) denied his request. Millman called the decision a “joke,” saying it was “pretty pathetic” for the FIT to make such a decision.
“Andreas Seppi not getting a wildcard into a tour event in Italy to end his career is a joke. 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,” Millman wrote on Twitter.
Andreas Seppi not getting a wildcard into a tour event in Italy to end his career is a joke. 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.
— John Millman (@johnhmillman) October 17, 2022
Seppi also shared his frustration toward the decision, saying on Instagram:
“I would have loved to play in the Florence or Naples tournament for my farewell to professional tennis, 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”.”
Andreas Seppi on his IG stories ☹️ pic.twitter.com/rwWopz9vxh
— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) October 16, 2022
Seppi’s lengthy professional tennis career
Seppi has been known as the flag-bearer of Italian tennis since he turned pro in 2002. Despite never making it beyond the fourth round in the Grand Slam tournaments, the 38-year-old bested other hard hitters in the ATP tour. Players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Lleyton Hewitt were defeated by Seppi in Eastbourne (2011), Belgrade (2012), and Moscow (2012) as he became the first Italian to have won a title across all three surfaces in the ATP tour.
In total, Seppi has four ATP titles, three of which are singles, while the other one is a doubles title with fellow Italian Simone Bolelli in Dubai (2016). In 2013, Seppi was ranked 18th in the ATP Rankings, which was his career-high record. The veteran player is ranked 301st this year.
The utter disrespect 😤. Thanks for all Andreasand all the best #Tennis #AndreasSeppi https://t.co/OZxwFvlGI4
— Millesime93 (@millesime93) October 16, 2022
Seppi made his first Grand Slam debut back in 2004 at the US Open. Since that year, the Italian would appear across all editions of the tournament and became the tennis player to have the third most consecutive Grand Slam attendances, ahead of former Swiss pro-Roger Federer and trailing behind Spaniards Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano López.
After 20 years of a lengthy professional tennis career, Seppi announced his retirement. The upcoming Sparkasse Challenger Val Gardena in Ortisei, Italy, scheduled this October 24-30, is set to be the last tennis tournament for the right-handed veteran. Seppi explained that the primary reason behind the sudden retirement was his physical condition.
“It’s been a difficult season, especially in terms of my physical condition. 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,” he said.