Andy Murray involved in heated spat with fan after making Madrid Open U-turn

Andy Murray took to social media to defend himself after a number of fans criticised the Brit after he accepted a wildcard to enter the Mutua Madrid Open.

The British tennis star had previously announced his intention to skip the clay-court season in Europe - which concludes with the French Open - to use the next two months to focus on the upcoming grass season. However, the former World No. 1 has surprisingly accepted a wildcard offer to compete at the Madrid Open next week.

Fernando Verdasco was especially frustrated with the decision to award just one Spanish player - 20-year-old Carlos Gimeno - a wildcard to the main draw. The former World No. 7 compared Madrid’s wildcard choices to those made by Rome Masters officials, who awarded five wildcards to Italian players.

“Faced with the announcement today by the Mutua Madrid Open regarding the invitations they are going to offer for this year's tournament, many Spanish players cannot help but give our opinion,” Verdasco wrote. “We find it surprising, as well as very frustrating, that the biggest event of tennis in Spain shows such little (or no) support for Spanish tennis players with the invitations granted, especially to the main draw.”

Just two hours after Verdasco’s comments, Murray took to Twitter to write: “Amazing how quickly people forget in tennis” - and quickly responded to a fan who suggested the 34-year-old was taking spots away from young and upcoming talent in such tournaments.

“More than happy to play qualifying,” Murray replied. “Will most likely play qualies in Rome. If a tournament invites me to come and play in the main draw are you suggesting I should turn it down and play qualies?”

The fan replied by pointing to Murray’s own experience as a