The Madrid Open is once again under fire after tennis fans and fellow players pointed out a clear double standard.
As the tournament in the Spanish capital gets set for the finals to take place, two photos have caused a stir online.
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Current world number 2’s Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka celebrated their birthdays on Friday with the tournament joining in the festivities.
Birthday cakes were given to both players from tournament organisers, but it was the stark disparity in the cakes that left some seeing red.
Belarus born Sabalenka, 25, was given a single-tier cake, decorated with gold writing and surrounded by raspberries.
Spanish star Alcaraz, 20, however was given a multi-tier cake that had to be held up by several pairs of hands.
Canadian tennis player, world number 27, Bianca Andreescu couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
“That doesn’t look right,” she wrote.
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka wasn’t surprised by the look of the treatment that had been given to the two stars.
“Couldn’t be more accurate on the treatment,” she tweeted.
Fans were left fuming over the optics the two photos displayed, leaving many to call out the tournament for being misogynistic.
One wrote in response to the photos: “they’re ranked the same and have the same amount of slams, Aryna (Sabalenka) even has more Masters (not after Sunday tho) but anyways I’m calling misogyny.”
Another added: “Ppl are saying it’s bc he’s Spanish and yea I’m sure that is part of it but the size difference is INSANE????”
Other users however said their was no issue as they pointed out Alcaraz was playing in his home country as the hometown hero.
“I see a lot of people losing their minds over this. And believe me, I am a huge advocate for women’s right and women’s tennis and gender equality and equity. But I think this isn’t ‘men vs women’. It’s Spaniard vs non Spaniard. It’s that simple,” one wrote.
Others were quick to point out that rising star Holger Rune was given a cake after celebrating his birthday during the tournament, similar to the one given to Sabalenka.
Tournament director Feliciano Lopez hit back at the criticism as he responded to Azarenka’s tweet.
“I’m surprised by this reaction after this gesture! 1. Carlos had just won his match to reach the final. 2. He was playing on centre court. 3. The tournament is played in Spain, even though it is an international event. PS: I hope Rune wasn’t also upset by his treatment,” he wrote.
Sabalenka will square off against world number one Iga Swiatek after both cruised through their semi-final contests.
The 25-year-old Sabalenka took care of business against Maria Sakkari in straight sets 6-4, 6-1 while Swiatek was far too strong for Veronika Kudermetova as she claimed the 6-1, 6-1 win.
The women’s final takes place on Sunday morning at 2:30am (AEST).
Alcaraz booked his spot in the Madrid Open final after toppling Borna Coric 6-4, 6-3 and will go up against unseeded German Jan-Lennard Struff.
Struff got past fellow unseeded player Aslan Karatsev in a tough three-set battle, fighting back to claim the 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win.
The men’s final gets underway on Monday morning from 2:30am (AEST).