Mikael Ymer nobbed the Swedish Open – with a Zlatan comparison.
Now big brother Elias speaks out about it all.
– I hope he knows what he is doing, he says.
On Monday, the hottest competition of the year in Sweden begins in Båstad, and with a stronger starting field than in many years. During the competitions, stars such as Casper Ruud, Holger Rune and Andrej Rubljov will be in place – players who have all come a long way in Grand Slam tournaments in the past year.
The comparison with Zlatan
But Sweden’s best ranked players on the men’s side are not in place. Mikael Ymer is ranked around 70th player in the ATP rankings, but really had no place in the tournament, as he simply was not qualified for it.
However, the Swedish Open wanted their biggest star right now in place during the tournament, and responded with an invitation through a wildcard. But Ymer chose, unexpectedly enough, to say no – which led to enormous criticism in large parts of sports Sweden. Ymer himself responded to the criticism through a plot about Zlatan.
– The reason why I do not play in Båstad is the same reason why Zlatan does not play in the Allsvenskan, he said.
Brother’s words
Mikael Ymer has since not commented on the circus, nor has big brother Elias, who unlike Mikael actually competes during the Swedish Open. But before the start of the competition on Monday, Elias had a say.
– I hope he knows what he is doing, I hope he has an idea behind the decision. It’s a shame for the competition. But you can ask him about it, says Elias Ymer to Radiosporten.
After Mikael Ymer nobbed the Swedish Open and made the statement about Zlatan, he received a response to a speech from the competition director Magnus Norman.
– I do not know if it is taken out of context, but the fact is that Mikael did not get into the tournament on his own ranking, had he been Zlatan he might have done it, Norman said.
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