Brazilian Gabriel Medina requested a wildcard for the eleventh leg of the CT in Teahupoo but was denied, Globo Esportes reported, citing WSL Tour VP Renato Hickel.

"There are no wild cards available for Tahiti. They've already been awarded; one is for Kauli and the other is for the event. What could happen with Gabriel is if there's a replacement spot for an injured surfer. But for that to happen, someone has to get injured," Hickel said.

Medina's team stated that they would no longer accept invitations if he receives an invitation at the last minute.

Medina suffered a pectoral injury from which he now appears to have fully recovered, and as a result, he let the WSL know in May that he would be ready to return at Teahupoo.

The entity took note but rejected it.

In any case, they gave him the OK for his annual injury wildcard months ago.

As he told Globo, he's motivated: "My goal is definitely to win my fourth World Cup. I plan to come back next year with all my energy. It will be a different year; it will start in April, with the new calendar, and end in December, in Hawaii, just like before. Great! It was good news. I prefer the way it was before, with the points system. It's going to be a very good year, and I have plenty of time to prepare, which keeps me motivated," he declared.