Tim Henman calls French Open ball girl controversy ‘careless’
Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi were disqualified from a third-round match at the French Open on June 4, 2023, after accidentally hitting a ball girl with a tennis ball. The incident took place on Court 14, where Kato launched a tennis ball and accidentally hit the ball girl, who appeared visibly distressed and in tears. Rules state that players or teams are disqualified if a ball person is hurt during a match. Umpire Alexandre Juge originally gave Kato a warning, but after their opponents requested Kato and Sutjiadi be defaulted, they were disqualified. Tim Henman, British tennis player, weighed in on the incident, reminding everyone of his own disqualification from Wimbledon in 1995 after hitting a ball girl with a tennis ball.
FAQs:
What led to the disqualification of Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi?
Kato accidentally hit a ball girl with a tennis ball during a third-round match at the French Open, and per tennis rules, players or teams are disqualified if a ball person is hurt during a match.
What was the reaction to the incident?
The ball girl was visibly distressed and in tears after being hit. Kato’s opponents, Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo, requested Kato and Sutjiadi be disqualified from the match, and umpire Alexandre Juge eventually made the decision to disqualify the duo.
What did Tim Henman say about the incident?
Henman, who was disqualified from Wimbledon in 1995 after hitting a ball girl with a tennis ball, weighed in on the situation at Roland Garros, stating that players must take responsibility when hitting the ball around the court, even when accidental.
What is the rule for hitting ball people with tennis balls?
Per tennis rules, if a ball person is hit during a match and is hurt, the player or team is disqualified.
What happened to Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo after the incident?
Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo advanced to the fourth round of the French Open to face Ellen Perez and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
‘Careless’ is how Tim Henman describes the French Open ball girl controversy.
Former tennis player Tim Henman was reminded of his own disqualification from Wimbledon in 1995 when discussing the recent incident at the French Open involving Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi. Kato accidentally hit a ball girl with a tennis ball during a third-round match and, as per tennis rules, was disqualified along with her partner. Henman commented on the situation, saying that players must take responsibility when hitting the ball around the court, adding that while there may not be malicious intent, accidents can still occur, putting officials in a difficult position. The incident was reminiscent of similar incidents involving Novak Djokovic in 2020 and highlights the importance of adhering to safety rules on the court.