Roland Garros was in for a controversial day when the organizers decided to disqualify women’s doubles pair Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi when a ball struck by Kato hit a ball girl. While initially after the incident it looked like it would lead only to a warning and nothing more, things took a drastic turn following a bit of deliberation and interjection by the pair’s opponents, Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova. And for the part they player in getting their opponents disqualified, tennis fans have a bone to pick with Tormo and Bouzkova and they’re expressing themselves in a vehement manner.
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Following the incident, many called for the organizers to rethink when to enforce such rules and how Japanese player Kato did not deserve such a fate. Despite everything, Kato apologized to the ball girl, to her partner, team and fans and was clearly distressed with everything that had transpired. She lost all the points and prize money she had earned by making it this far in the tournament and will now have to place all her bets on her mixed doubles fate. And fans across the globe had a lot of sympathy for Kato while many had a thing or two to say about Tormo and Bouzkova’s behavior.
Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova face backlash from fans
What seemed like a simple matter of a startled ball girl reduced to tears due to the sudden attention and focus on her quickly changed into serious business. Officials initially seemed fine with giving just a warning to Kato and Sutjiadi but Sara Sorribes and Marie Bouzkova had other plans. They protested to the officials with indignation, apparently even asking for the disqualification by mentioning that the ball girl was hurt.
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Here’s how the tennis community reacted to the whole fiasco.
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When the decision was announced, Kato too was reduced to tears and could be seen sobbing as her partner consoled her. Even former French tennis player Giles Simons had something to say on the whole debacle.
Alize Cornet too expressed her support for Miyu Kato and her partner while also taking a shot at Sorribes and Bouzkova.
Sara Sorribes Tormo not doing great…
Sara Sorribes faced quite the backlash online for her actions. In fact, many even celebrated her singles loss to Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, calling it karma. The match which lasted 3 hours and 51 minutes is the longest one on tour this year and ended 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-5 in Maia’s favor. Many hailed this result
Miyu Kato on the other hand had better fortunes to look forward to, winning her quarter final match in the mixed doubles category. Kato and her partner Tim Putz beat their opponents Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos 7-6(5), 6-2 to proceed to the semi final.
This will be a very welcome victory for Kato who had to let go off her points and prize money from the women’s doubles category.
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