Next Gen ATP tennis finals draw slammed as ‘sexist’ and ‘gross’ as players forced to pick models who had letters hidden on their bodies

‘SEXIST’, ‘trashy’ and ‘gross’ are words that have been used to describe the draw ceremony for the Next Gen ATP Tennis Finals.

Models paraded down the catwalk with letters stuck to their bodies. Players were then told to pick a model to determine which group they would play in.

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The sport stars then walked down the catwalk, arm-in-arm with the woman they had selected.

The ATP’s flagship tournament for the world’s top players aged 21 and under launches in Milan on Tuesday.

But the event has been slammed before it has even begun after the draw ceremony that will leave many scratching their heads.

Judy Murray, mother to GB’s top player Andy, described the event as “awful” as she retweeted the cringeworthy “highlights” on Twitter.

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And Andy Murray’s former coach Amelie Mauresmo tweeted a video of the draw on Twitter along with the caption “disgrace

The tagline for the draw was “The future is now”, but in all reality it was as if we had gone back in time.

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The models had the letters “A” and “B” hidden somewhere on their body.

One of the women seductively lifted her dress to the thigh to reveal a letter as the bemused players looked decisively uncomfortable next to her.

Some of the young players laughed it off, others appeared embarrassed to have been a part of the show.

Ben Rothberg, who shared a video of the ceremony on Twitter, described it as “stunningly uncomfortable, cringeworthy and trashy”.

And seemingly others were left shocked and even appalled at the format of the draw.

One Twitter user described how the show “looked like a table dance” and said it was “a disgusting way to start a tournament”.

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Others described it as “sexist” and “gross”, while Siobhan Moore asks “how could anyone think this was a good idea?”

Gaby S adds that she felt as thought she had “just walked by accident into a private party with rich boys and hookers”, while Nilsson adds that it is “disrespectful to the players and to women”.

Amanda Peet adds that it “looks more like a strip joint than a tennis draw” and described the whole things as a “freak show”.

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Getty Images - Getty

The ATP, which governs the men’s game, has issued a statement a[olgising for any offence caused by the crass ceremony.

It read: “ATP and Red Bull apologise for the offence caused by the draw ceremony for the Next Gen ATP Finals.

“The intention was to integrate Milan’s rich heritage as one of the fashion capitals of the world. However, our execution of the proceedings was in poor taste and unacceptable.

“We deeply regret this and will ensure that there is no repeat of anything like it in the future.”