Amarissa Toth requests Zhang Shuai chat and explains causing huge storm

Amarissa Toth has issued an apology to Zhang Shuai after sparking a backlash due to the manner of her victory over her Chinese opponent in Budapest earlier this week. Zhang was forced to retire after having a panic attack following several unfortunate moments including a controversial decision from the umpire, who ruled that one of her shots was out despite the ball mark showing that it had landed within the white lines.

Toth went on to scrub the mark out using her foot despite pleas from Zhang, who shouted: “Wait, wait, wait! Keep the mark,” as her opponent approached it. The incident clearly left Zhang distressed as she attempted to play on but she was checked over by a physio during the next changeover as she suffered a panic attack on the sidelines.

Zhang went on to retire from the match, sparking a fist-pump celebration from Toth as the crowd in attendance directed boos at the players. The latter’s emphatic reaction sparked plenty of online criticism, with many observers questioning her levels of sportsmanship due to her celebrations in spite of her rival’s discomfort.

Toth has since apologised for her behaviour by explaining that she was simply caught up in the heat of the moment, while she also expressed her desire to speak with Zhang in order to discuss the incident in person.

“I did not think that my first WTA success would cause such a big storm, and I’m extremely sorry for what happened,” said Toth in a video posted on the tournament’s official Instagram account. “I respect Zhang Shuai as a person just as much as an athlete. It was never my intention to disrespect, upset, or hurt anyone, least of all Zhang Shuai.

“I do realize I should not have celebrated the way I celebrated after the match, and I’m sorry that I got caught up in my emotions and in the heat of the match, and I got caught up by the moment. I focused on tennis and I didn’t want to win like that.

“I hope that, in the future, I will have the opportunity to sit down and talk with Zhang Shuai and tell how badly I feel that our match ended this way. I hope that Shuai Zhang feels better and that we will soon see her back because she’s an unbelievable player, very respectful and a great person. There is a lot to learn from her, and we should all stay respectful to each other no matter what.”

Zhang has continued to receive plenty of support from her fellow professionals in the aftermath of her controversial loss at the hands of Toth, with Kateryna Baindl addressing the incident after defeating the Hungarian in the next round in Budapest on Thursday.

“I hope that they can stay fair, and Zhang Shuai feels better,” said Baindl after beating Toth in straight sets. “Hopefully she is getting better and soon, we’ll see her back. She’s an unbelievable player, very respectful and a great person. There’s a lot to learn from her. We should stay respectful to each other.”

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