Tennis player’s dad charges racism

MIAMI — The father of three professional tennis players claims the pro tennis tour is “racist” and kept one of his sons out of the U.S. Open.

William Washington, who is black, contends that his son Mashiska, 23, did not receive a wild card into the main draw at this year’s U.S. Open or to the qualifying tournament despite having a better ranking than six players who did.

Washington and his son made the allegations Tuesday at the office of their attorney Ellis Rubin.

The system “is racist. It is out of balance. It should be ended,” Washington said.

Rubin, who is considering legal action, wants to set up meetings with officials from both men’s and women’s tours and the USTA and U.S. Open.

So far, USTA representatives seem willing to meet.

“We are willing to have an open discussion with Mr. Washington on this matter and look forward to answering any questions he may have,” said USTA executive director Rick Ferman.

The USTA, however, denies unfairly awarding wild cards, or passes given to players for entry into tournaments.

“The USTA has always awarded U.S. Open wild cards to deserving players without regard to race or ethnic origin,” said USTA president Harry Marmion.

The focus of Washington’s argument involves the wild cards, which are given at the discretion of tournament directors. They often are awarded to low-ranked, promising players needing a career boost.

The organizations that run tennis, and tournament directors of events such as the U.S. Open don’t give out the passes fairly, especially when it comes to minorities, said Washington.

Mashiska, No. 402 in the world, did not make it to the U.S. Open this year. He had received wild cards to the U.S. Open qualifying tournament each of the past four years and advanced past the first round just once.

Mashiska, whose brother MaliVai and sister Mashona play on the tour, also has received more than 30 wild cards into tournaments in his career. His 1998 record is 6-8 in the challengers, minor-league tournaments. He is 0-4 career in ATP Tour main draw matches.

“Our first priority is to developing players and the second is to players who have made a significant contribution to the game,” said U.S. Open tournament director Jay Snyder. “I would think that Mashiska’s game has kind of leveled off.”

Wild cards, especially into an event’s main draw, are considered as valuable as gold to struggling players. At the 1998 U.S. Open, for instance, a main draw wild card was worth at least $12,000 — the prize money earned by a first-round loser.

“I have never received a main draw wild card at the tour level in any country, particularly the U.S,” Mashiska Washington said.

Associated Press