Zhang Shuai retires in tears after opponent erases mark on court
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China's Zhang Shuai wanted to speak with the tournament supervisor after disputing the chair umpire and line judge's calls that the ball gone out.
PHOTO: AFP
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BUDAPEST – China’s Zhang Shuai retired from her Hungarian Grand Prix match in tears on Tuesday after local wildcard Amarissa Toth erased a ball mark on the clay court following a disputed line call.
Second seed Zhang hit a cross-court forehand that appeared to land on the line but was called out by the line judge. The chair umpire then stepped down to take a look at the mark and confirmed the ball had landed outside the line.
Zhang was incensed by the call and asked to speak with the tournament supervisor. The match continued for one more point but the disagreement over the disputed call continued, before world No. 548 Toth walked up to the mark and used her shoes to erase it.
“Wait, wait, wait! Keep the mark,” Zhang yelled. “What are you doing? Why would you do that?”
Zhang looked visibly distressed during the changeover and a physio was called to check on her before the world No. 28 opted to retire while trailing 6-5 in the opening set of their round-of-32 match in Budapest.
The home crowd jeered Zhang’s retirement, while Toth shook hands with her before putting her arms up in celebration.
The Chinese has spoken about her mental health issues in the past and broke down in a press conference at the French Open in May.
Zhang later took to Instagram to complain about the call. “All efforts on practice was wrong, because when you wanted hitting closer to the line, even touched the line still OUT,” she wrote. “I love you guys and all girls who supporting me and standing my side.”
The 20-year-old Hungarian’s behaviour was swiftly condemned by fellow players on social media.
“Absolutely disgusting behaviour,” Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic wrote on Twitter. “Shuai is a better person than a lot of us for shaking the ref’s and that girl’s hand.”
Australian doubles player Ellen Perez said Toth had lost the respect of her peers.
“I’m actually shook by the level of disrespect from this girl... ” she said. “If I see this girl tomorrow, I will tell her how disgusted I am...
“You have the girl laughing at the situation, then you have her yelling the biggest come on, then you have her erase the mark after being asked not to and with attitude saying you’re making it a problem, then her celebrating the win, then her implying she would have won anyway.” REUTERS
