Ferrer launches scathing attack on French Open organisers

"Ultimately it's the players they care the least about in this tournament. That's a fact. We played for two hours and one minute and then stopped. That's what they wanted. They got paid, they made money... What else can I say?" Ferrer said after losing to Berdych.

Spaniard David Ferrer suggested that the welfare of players was not the first priority for French Open organisers.

David Ferrer branded the decision to play in damp conditions on Tuesday as a "scam" by French Open organisers.

The Spaniard's fourth-round match with Tomas Berdych was delayed by the conditions in Paris, although the pair did take to the court before the rain worsened.

Ferrer was back in action on Wednesday but he was unable to find his momentum as seventh seed Berdych wrapped up a 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 win, setting up a quarterfinal with Novak Djokovic.

Speaking after the defeat Ferrer launched a scathing attack on the organisers and suggested the welfare of players was not the first priority. "Despite the rain they [organisers] decided to carry on playing so they don't have to reimburse ticket costs therefore they win money," he told a media conference. 

"Ultimately it's the players they care the least about in this tournament. That's a fact. We played for two hours and one minute and then stopped. That's what they wanted. They got paid, they made money... What else can I say? Opinions on this will vary. 

"There will be people thinking that was the right thing to do and the opposite. Nevertheless in my opinion that's not correct. I think this is a scam for the fans."

Ferrer was not alone in expressing his frustration at the way events had been handled at Roland Garros with Ernests Gulbis equally unhappy after his 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 defeat to 12th seed David Goffin.

"I think that we went on court when it wasn't really playable because it was drizzling all the time," said the Latvian. "I don't think the players should walk on court while it's raining.

"If it starts raining while we play, then we keep on playing until it's playable. But to walk on with rain, I don't think it's the right decision.

"Then when it was 3-0, the referee was delaying the decision to walk off the court, and both of us, we didn't want to play because the conditions would maintain the same. It was slippery, the lines were slippery.

"The court was okay but the lines, when you step on the line, then you can twist - not twist but stretch your leg and have an injury. Yeah, I don't think it was very playable."