Callous tennis star slams rival who suffered panic attack after on-court bust-up
Amarissa Toth insists she doesn't understand why Zhang Shuai made "such a fuss" during their controversial tennis match.
Chinese star Shuai retired from her Hungarian Open clash against home favourite Toth in tears after appearing to suffer a panic attack. The incident unfolded when the umpire made a questionable line call against Shuai, a two-time doubles Grand Slam champion.
The umpire stepped down from her chair to inspect the line call, which was initially given out. There was a clear ball mark on the line - visible thanks to the clay court - but the umpire refused to overturn the line judge's decision and left Shuai furious.
The 34-year-old requested to speak to the tournament supervisor before the match continued. The controversy grew when her 20-year-old opponent walked up to the mark and scrubbed it out with her shoe. Shuai couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Shuai shouted. "Keep the mark. What are you doing? Why would you do that." Toth ruthlessly replied: "Because you're making problems, that's why." Shuai was visibly distressed by the incident and called the physio at the end of that game.
Tennis star retires after panic attack brought on by rival's controversial move
The experienced star was then forced to retire and was booed off court by the crowd, as Toth celebrated her controversial victory by walkover. Shuai has received messages of support from fellow tennis stars, but Toth has defended her actions.
Speaking to Radio Kossuth, Toth said: "I don't understand why she made such a fuss out of it, that she wanted to overrule the judge's decision. I don't understand why she didn't accept it, but she made trouble for herself."
Amarissa Toth has refused to apologise for her actionsWhat's your opinion of the incident? Let us know in the comments below!
Shuai thanked fans for their support after the incident. She tweeted: "All efforts on practice was wrong, because when you wanted hitting closer to the line, even touched the line still OUT... I love you guys and all girls who supporting me and standing my side."
Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur has tweeted her support for Shuai. She wrote: "All the support to Shuai. This is not acceptable."
Three-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist Ajla Tomljanovic added: "Absolutely disgusting behaviour. Shuai is a better person than a lot of us for shaking the referee's and that girl's hand. But then again it's Shuai we're talking about, of course she did."
Daria Saville, who lost to British No.1 Katie Boulter at Wimbledon, continued: "Zero respect for this Toth girl. ZERO! I am so, so, so mad. I feel so bad for Shuai... Toth 'won' this point and 'won' this match, but her reputation is ruined."
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