Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi, the 16th seeded pair in the women’s doubles category, were disqualified from French Open 2023 after Kato accidently hit a ball at a ball girl during their match against the duo of Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova on Sunday.
Kato and Sutjiadi had gone down in the first set to Tormo and Bouzkova in the concerned match. However, they were leading the second set by 3-1 before Kato hit the ball to the back of the court, which ended up striking the ball girl’s head.
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Following that, Grand Slam supervisor Wayne McKewen and tournament referee Remy Azemar came to the court. Chair umpire Alexandra Juge had already issued a code violation and it was revealed after discussions between the officials and the players that the duo of Kato and Sutjiadi were defaulted from the tournament.
Kato's Tweet:
I would like to sincerely apologize to the Ball Girl, my partner Aldila&Team, & my supporters because of today's unfortunate mishap. It was completely unintentional.As a result, I am penalized by RG by forfeiting my prize money & points. I appreciate all your continued support!
— Miyu Kato / 加藤 未唯 (@miyukato1121) June 4, 2023
“I would like to sincerely apologize to the Ball Girl, my partner Aldila & Team, & my supporters because of today's unfortunate mishap. It was completely unintentional. As a result, I am penalized by RG by forfeiting my prize money & points. I appreciate all your continued support!” Kato wrote on her official Twitter handle in the aftermath of the incident.
Miyu Kato & Aldila Sutjiadi were disqualified from their Roland Garros doubles match
Kato hit a ball boy in the chest, but wasn’t hitting the ball in anger. The ball boy was cryingThey were initially only given a warning, but were eventually defaultedpic.twitter.com/zymNJDKvo8— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 4, 2023
As per the regulations, any defaulted player loses all the ranking points and prize money that they have won at the concerned tournament.
The Grand Slam rule book dictates that players are refrained from violently or dangerously hit, kick or throw a tennis ball within the tournament site. The only exception is for the ‘reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up)’.
“In all cases of default, the decision of the referee in consultation with the grand slam chief of supervisors shall be final and unappealable,” the rules further added.
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