Umpire Alexandre Juge initially issued a warning to Kato for her action. However, Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo, observing the incident from across the net, requested that their opponents be disqualified. A conversation ensued between the players and the umpire, with emotions running high.
Juge defended his decision, stating, “No, no, let me explain to you. She (Kato) didn’t do it on purpose, she (the ball girl) didn’t get injured.”
However, Sorribes Tormo pointed out that the ball girl was visibly upset, shedding tears, and even had blood. Bouzkova supported her teammate’s stance, emphasising the severity of the situation. The umpire then approached the distressed ball girl to assess her condition.
Following the conversation with the ball girl, the umpire returned to his chair and declared the match’s end, with Kato and Sutjiadi being disqualified. At the time of the disqualification, Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo were leading 7-6(1), 1-3 in the match.
The disqualification incident has brought attention to the importance of player conduct and safety during matches. While Kato’s action may have been unintentional, the welfare of the ball girl was paramount in the decision-making process. The emotional response and visible distress of the ball girl played a significant role in the ultimate ruling.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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