Shades of Djokovic as Kato and Sutjiadi defaulted from doubles after ballgirl injury incident – updated with reaction

Aldila Sutjiadi and Miyu Kato were defaulted from their women’s doubles match against Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo at Roland-Garros on Sunday.

Kato deliberately struck a ball to the opposite end of the court between points, which accidentally hit a ballgirl directly. The initial call from the chair was a warning.

Miyu Kato & Aldila Sutjiadi just got defaulted as Kato hit a ball girl accidentally at 6-7(1), 3-1.

Ball girl is okay but got scared & started crying. Kato went to check on her & apologize but nothing could be done — supervisor called, default confirmed. pic.twitter.com/1mLA951AOc

— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) June 4, 2023

However, the girl was clearly distressed, and Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo immediately spoke to the umpire to highlight this.

With the supervisor then being called to court, after discussions, the call was then made to default Sutjiadi and Kato, who was weeping with disappointment as her partner consoled her.

It was reminiscent of Novak Djokovic’s similar incident at the US Open in 2020, where a ball he hit struck a line judge.

Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo had taken the first set 7-6 (1), but 16th seeds Sutjiadi and Kato were leading 3-1 in the second when it happened.

“Obviously, it’s very unfortunate overall,” Bouzkova told reporters afterwards. “Sara and I, we’ve never been in this kind of situation, so we were kind of shaken up by this as well. It’s just a tough situation for everyone. But it’s something that, I guess, has to be taken by the rules as it is, even though it’s very unfortunate for them.

“At the end of the day, it was the referee’s decision. He got the way we saw it, the way the [chair umpire] saw it, and the supervisor got information from that. They obviously also talked to our opponents and what they think happened, and it was in his hands.”

What are the rules?

The Grand Slam section of the ITF rulebook states:

Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a tennis ball within the precincts of the tournament site except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up). Violation of this Section shall subject a player to fine up to $20,000 for each violation. In addition, if such violation occurs during a match (including the warm-up) the player shall be penalised in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule hereinafter set forth. For the purposes of this Rule, abuse of balls is defined as intentionally hitting a ball out of the enclosure of the court, hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences.

What has the reaction been?

Commentator and former doubles player Robbie Koenig criticised the decision, calling Sorribes Tormo and Bouzkova’s behaviour “disgraceful”.

No way this is a default, chair umpire was initially correct. It’s almost like she’s chipping the ball to the ball kid to catch. Roger used to do this all the time. Ball kids catches it, and it’s a round of applause…disgraceful from the opponents who demanded a default. https://t.co/MIcArlBsaB

— Rob Koenig (@RobKoenigTennis) June 4, 2023

He said that the chair umpire’s initial call to issue a warning was correct.

Former player Jamie Hampton said that Sorribes Tormo and Bouzkova should be ashamed, adding that there were many issues with the way the incident was handled.

there are so many things wrong with the call. that’s not how it works. whoever made the call has gotta go. this is ridiculous. sorribes tormo and bouzkova should be ashamed. https://t.co/9mJfNUMRyB

— Jamie Hampton (@Jamie_Hampton) June 4, 2023

Misaki Doi also tweeted, expressing her disappointment with the default, and wondering whether it would have happened if the ballgirl had caught the ball or not burst into tears, or had Sorribes Tormo and Bouzkova not complained.

Gilles Simon was also scornful about the behaviour of Sorribes Tormo and Bouzkova, and described the officiating as “most stupid”.

Former doubles champion Pam Shriver pointed to Bouzkova’s previous award for good sportsmanship, suggesting that it might not be repeated.

Here is list of recent WTA Sportsmanship award winners. Will today’s events make 2020 the only time Bouzkova wins award? pic.twitter.com/Wp8BbAvESu

— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) June 4, 2023

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