(Translation from Diario La Provincia Digital (15/12/2001))

Magüi Serna asks the Spanish Federation for an explanation

     Magüi Serna has asked the Spanish Federation and the sponsor of the Spanish Master for an explanation about the use of her image and the report of the reasons why the Canarian player won't take part in the event that will be played next week in Barcelona. The young player is uncomfortable with this situation because since the last 29 of November she confirmed she wouldn't play the Masters that will be played at the Palau Sant Jordi.

     The Canarian player had declined the invitation to go to Barcelona because she has just come back to Gran Canaria to prepare well her participation at the Australian Open, together with her new team formed by Fernando García Lleó and Joaquín Sanchís. That's why she doesn't understand that a week after communicating the Federation her posture, her image appeared in the publicity material of promotion of the event.

     She understands even less that the organisation kept her name among the eight participants until one day before making the draw, date in which they announced that Magüi Serna won't play due to “personal reasons” and she'll be substituted by another player. The Canarian thinks that the ambiguity of this announcement can damage her image because it can be interpreted in different ways.

     That's why, IMG, company that represents the player, has sent this announcement to the Spanish Federation: “Dear Jorge Amilibia. Real Federación Española de Tenis. The reason of this letter is to ask you for a written explanation about the reasons why the sponsor of the Spanish Federation, Nobel, has used the image rights and name of Magüi Serna, without an authorization of the player or her agent IMG, on behalf of her. Magüi Serna has never confirmed her participation, so your sponsor doesn't have the authorization to make that campaign with the name and image of the player. Signature: David Serrahima i Artiga. IMG España”.

     In our opinion, we think that once again the Spanish Federation doesn't act in the right way, in the same way that some months ago left the Canarian out of the Fed Cup team, in which she has been the four last years, to incorporate other players with a worse ranking in the tie against Belgium. Besides, Magüi Serna has been the only one that has defeated the Belgian Henin in the three times she has played her.

      In the Spanish Masters, the eight best ranked in the women's and men's categories will play, except for Magüi for the reasons already mentioned. In the women's draw, the participants, among others, will be: Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Conchita Martínez, Ángeles Montolio, Vivi Ruano, Gala León and the Canarian Marta Marrero.