Current:Home > MarketsStar player Zhang Shuai quits tennis match after her opponent rubs out ball mark in disputed call -GrowthInsight
Star player Zhang Shuai quits tennis match after her opponent rubs out ball mark in disputed call
View
Date:2025-04-25 20:10:32
The Women's Tennis Association is investigating what it called an "unfortunate incident" at the Hungarian Grand Prix earlier this week, which sparked accusations of racism and poor sportsmanship as well as an outpouring of support for Chinese tennis champion Zhang Shuai.
Zhang broke down on the court and ultimately retired from a match at the Grand Prix in Budapest on Tuesday, after her opponent, Hungarian player Amarissa Toth, appeared to rub out a ball mark with her shoe in response to a disputed call. Zhang quit the match in the first set. It ended at 6-5 with Toth in the lead.
The dispute happened when a shot from Zhang appeared to land inside the boundary line on Toth's side, but was ultimately called out. Zhang later asked for a supervisor to review the call, but before anyone arrived, Toth approached the spot on the court where Zhang's ball had landed and rubbed it out with her foot. The incident was captured on video since the match was televised.
"Wait, wait, wait! Keep the mark," Zhang is heard saying to her opponent. "What are you doing? Why would you do that?"
Zhang was then seeing crying briefly along the sidelines of the court before shaking hands with Toth and the umpire, and retiring from the match while the crowd booed.
"The WTA has zero tolerance for racism in any form or context," the WTA tweeted. "The unfortunate incident that took place yesterday at the Hungarian (Budapest) Grand Prix and subsequent posts are being reviewed and will be addressed."
Statement from WTA
— wta (@WTA) July 19, 2023
-
The WTA has zero tolerance for racism in any form or context. The unfortunate incident that took place yesterday at the Hungarian Grand Prix and subsequent posts are being reviewed and will be addressed.
One post that appeared to be taken down from the Hungarian Grand Prix's Facebook page drew particular criticism from the tennis community. In a comment shared below one of its posts after the match, which continued to make the rounds on Twitter in a multitude of screenshots later in the week, the tournament seemed to defend the umpire's initial call and Toth's win, writing, "The Chinese are manipulating the world with a manipulative video."
Zhang acknowledged the incident Wednesday on Instagram. "All efforts on practice was wrong , because when you wanted hitting closer to the line, even touched the line, but still called OUT ….. I love you guys and all girls who supporting me and standing my side," she captioned a post.
Numerous professional tennis players have spoken out against the Hungarian Grand Prix and Toth, and in support of Zhang.
"That's another level of unsportsmanlike conduct. Just wow," Belarusian tennis player Victoria Azarenka tweeted.
That’s another level of unsportsmanlike conduct
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) July 19, 2023
Just wow https://t.co/bDFQwGiPd5
"Toth 'won' this point and 'won' this match but her reputation is ruined," said Daria Saville, of Australia, in another reaction to the dispute on Twitter.
Toth "won" this point and "won" this match but her reputation is ruined........... 🤢🤮🤢🤮
— Daria Saville (@Daria_gav) July 18, 2023
"Absolutely disgusting behavior. Shuai is a better person than a lot of us for shaking the ref and that girls hand," wrote Ajla Tomljanović, another Australian tennis pro. "But then again it's Shuai we are talking about , ofc she did."
Absolutely disgusting behavior.
— Ajla Tomljanovic (@Ajlatom) July 18, 2023
Shuai is a better person than a lot of us for shaking the ref and that girls hand.
But then again it’s Shuai we are talking about , ofc she did. https://t.co/GVcQ1NoPKe
"Well that's a quick way to lose respect from your peers. I'm actually shook by the level of disrespect from this girl," Ellen Perez, also of Australia, wrote in another tweet, referencing Toth.
Well that's a quick way to lose respect from your peers. I'm actually shook by the level of disrespect from this girl. https://t.co/nBB1mBCh9A
— Ellen Perez (@EllenPerez95) July 18, 2023
WTA has not shared details about its review of the match or how it was handled by the Hungarian Grand Prix.
- In:
- Sports
- Tennis
veryGood! (26931)
Related
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Ariana Grande Dating Wicked Co-Star Ethan Slater After Dalton Gomez Breakup
- Hannah Gosselin Shares New Photos From Texas Amid Jon & Kate Family Feud
- How the Hollywood Strikes Will Affect New Seasons of Law & Order and One Chicago Shows
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Madison Beer Claps Back at Body Shamer Saying She's Getting Fatter
- This Under Eye Mask Is Like an Energy Drink for Your Skin and It’s 45% Off Right Now
- Doja Cat Argues With Fans After Dissing Their Kittenz Fandom Name
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Salma Hayek’s Secret to Maintaining Her Appearance Will Surprise You
Ranking
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- TikToker AJ Clementine Undergoes Vocal Feminization Surgery
- Midwest States, Often Billed as Climate Havens, Suffer Summer of Smoke, Drought, Heat
- Tiger Woods’ Ex-Girlfriend Erica Herman Drops $30 Million Lawsuit Against His Trust
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Hailey Bieber Will Influence You to Try TikTok's Viral Latte Makeup Trend
- Maryland Urged to Cut Emissions By Swiftly Adopting Rules Electrifying Cars and Trucks
- Bachelor Nation's Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell React to Speculation Over Their Relationship Status
Recommendation
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
MrBeast YouTuber Kris Tyson Comes Out as Transgender
Toast the End of Harry Styles' Tour With Facts That Taste Like Strawberries on a Summer Evenin'
Chicago Mayor Receives Blueprint for ’Green New Deal’ to Address Environmental Justice
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
Carlee Russell’s Boyfriend Pleads With People to Stop Bullying Her Amid Disappearance Investigation
Former reverend arrested for 1975 murder of 8-year-old girl
Sheryl Crow Slams Jason Aldean for Promoting Violence With New Song