Aldila Sutjiadi and Miyu Kato were defaulted from their French Open doubles match against Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova on Sunday afternoon.
Sutjiadi and Kato were defaulted after Kato lightly struck a ball to the opposite end of the court between points. In a terrible stroke of luck, it hit a ballgirl and drove her to tears. The chair umpire initially issued a warning, but–with Sorribes Tormo and Bouzkova protesting that it should be a default–the supervisor was called to the court. Following a discussion, a default was in fact the result.
In the aftermath of the incident, Sorribes Tormo and Bouzkova have been getting crucified in the media (especially on social media) for their actions contributing to what many consider to be an incorrect decision.
“First of all, what happened yesterday is not easy,” Sorribes said following her singles loss. “For Marie and for me, it’s complicated to see what people are saying about it. We reported to the referee of the match that the ballperson was crying. And since he had not seen what had happened, we told him. For the rest, it was the supervisor who took the decision. That’s all I have to say about it.
“I didn’t open my Instagram. Those who criticize weren’t on the court yesterday. The people who whistled at me today weren’t there, either. The court 14 audience yesterday understood why they were disqualified. The rule is the rule. We saw that the ball sent was much faster than what we can see on the video (and) a small girl (was) crying for 20 minutes.
“I tried to put all that out (of my mind) and compete today, being focused, because I really think we didn’t do anything wrong. That’s why it hurts me that we are being [criticized for doing something wrong] when for me it was not the case at all.”
thoughts?
I don’t like Sorribes Tormo. No way should that have been a default. No way should they have pressed for it to be one.
There is footage everywhere of her and Bouzkova laughing about the default…not pleasant. If it’s genuine…
Was the ball kid seriously injured? They might have been scared by the hit, but it wasn’t something to be defaulted over. The clip doesn’t show anything. You can hear the judges talking about why the default. I’d have to see the video of the ball striking the kid and where it hit. It seems like a sketchy call. As for SST and Bouzkova laughing about the default, I question that too. One of them might have farted. Pardon my French.
In general there needs to be more clarity in the DQ rules and FAR more consistency in how they are applied.
The ITF rules state in exact words: “Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick, or throw a tennis ball within the
precincts of the tournament site except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match including the warm-up.”
There was nothing violent or angry about Kato’s hitting of the ball — it was clearly intended to return the ball for retrieval. So, that leaves dangerous. Was it dangerous? Any ball can be dangerous if a person isn’t looking at it, but is it also the responsibility of the tennis player to ensure that the ballkids are watching before they hit a ball over the net? It seems spurious and something that is probably broken every day, even if it usually doesn’t result in tears.
Certainly players have been given warnings and no default for much more egregious and potentially dangerous actions. Everyone knows examples.
Also, forfeiting the match is one thing. Having all your earnings taken from you for an innocent accident seems like a blight on the sport. I hope they are able to appeal the ruling.