The French Open saw history getting created as Novak Djokovic became the only ATP player to win 23 Grand Slam titles. However, we also saw some controversies stirring up the court. One was when the Japanese doubles player was disqualified after she mistakenly hit the ball girl. French Open director Amelie Mauresmo has finally broken her silence on the topic.
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The opinion is quite divided on the incident, and the French Open director has cleared her stance. Going by the rulebook but also weighing in on Miyu Kato‘s chances, Mauresmo has come out with a careful statement.
French Open director Amelie Mauresmo clears her stance on the disqualification of Miyu Kato
The Japanese player was cruising through the doubles category of the French Open with her partner Aldila Sutjiadi. However, she unintentionally hit the ball girl during their third-round match. Due to this, the pair were disqualified from the women’s doubles.
French Open directory Amelie Mauresmo has finally broken her silence on the issue. She conveyed her message to the Tennis Up to Date and stated, “I think the locker room is pretty divided on this. I have heard, yes, a lot of people or a lot of players actually saying that it’s not fair.”
Conveying how some thought it meant something if the ball girl cried for more than five minutes. So, she stated, “So, you know, I’m not going to comment, because when you see a video after you take a decision is always easier.”
After Kato unintentionally hit the ball girl, the referee ruled it a code violation. But the opponents called for a default calling by the supervisor, which was eventually implemented. She stated, “Without seeing the video, you come to the court. And when you see a ball girl cry for that long, I guess that’s when you have to make some kind of decision.”
She defended her supervisor and referee for taking a decision at a heated moment. She added, “It is what it is.” They went by the books and Mauresmo brought out that fact.
Was allowing Kato to play mixed double made up for her loss?
Miyu Kato continued playing mixed doubles. Obviously, losing out on women’s doubles was a shocker for her and she was heartbroken after that loss. Mauresmo stated, “It was also the decision of the tournament to keep her in the mixed doubles, which I think was also something positive at least for her.”
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Kato eventually won the mixed doubles with her partner and ended up clinching a Grand Slam title. However, do you think it was still fair for her to be disqualified from the French Open women’s doubles? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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Edited by
Akash Pandhare