Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer along with "other high-profile figures in Spanish tennis" have signed an open letter criticizing the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) over the "poor running of the sport in the latest development of an ongoing feud," according to Tim Hanlon of REUTERS. A total of 44 people put their name on Sunday to a "seven-point statement that hit out at general poor organization along with a lack of transparency" by the RFET. The letter comes on the back of claims in local media that the nation's first female Davis Cup captain Gala León "offered her resignation following continued disapproval of her appointment last September," but it was not accepted by the RFET. Nadal was among those who "reacted with disbelief" at the RFET's naming of León, who had a career-high ranking of 27 as a player, to replace Carlos Moya. It has led to accusations of sexism and Nadal himself "admitted over the weekend that the controversy is tarnishing the image of Spanish tennis." He said, "The situation is terrible. All these things that are happening cause damage to tennis, to the desire sponsors might have to invest in our sport, to the excitement that kids might have in continuing to play" (REUTERS, 6/29).
