Novak Djokovic-led PTPA released a statement on the defaulting of Miyu Kato and her partner from Roland Garros a few days ago.
The Japanese player accidentally hit a ball girl with a somewhat careless push of the ball. The ball girl wasn't facing that way and failed to react on time resulting in some tears. Kato was very sorry about what happened but after the insistence of Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova, the supervisor came up with the decision being a default.
It was a very controversial decision that was blasted on social media by many, though Nick Kyrgios asserted that it was the right decision. He argued that it was according to the rules and rules should be followed.
Many fans also blasted Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo for pushing for a default even though they are adamant that they only explained what had happened. Interestingly enough, both of them were facing the other way and couldn't see what actually happened. Martina Navratilova even chimed in with her opinion that the pairing didn't show great sportsmanship.
The Djokovic-led PTPA released a statement on the matter describing the decision as unfair and too harsh. Djokovic himself has experience with things like this as he was also defaulted from a grand slam after hitting somebody with a ball.
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) affirms that ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the sport, especially the ball girls and boys, is our highest priority. Nevertheless, the decision to default Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi was unjustifiably disproportionate and unfair.
It is evident that the incident was accidental and not at all aggressive in nature. This should not have led to a code violation and subsequent defaulting. The incident and its aftermath underscore a fundamental principle of the PTPA: the demand for fair resolutions.
PTPA co-founder Vasek Pospisil reacted on social media to this statement describing the decision by Roland Garros as 'terrible' and questioning why Miyu Kato was stripped of her prize money. He used the word theft when referencing that.
Horrible decision by Roland Garros officials. Miyu Kato should at the very least get her prize money and points returned; and that still won’t make it right. This is theft.
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