(CNN) — Chinese tennis player Zhang Shuai walked out of a match in tears after a tense incident with Amarissa Toth at the Hungarian Grand Prix, after Toth used her foot to erase the court mark of a disputed ball.
In Tuesday’s opening set, Zhang hit a forehand cross that appeared to land on the line, but both one of the linesmen and later the referee said the ball had fallen outside.
Although the match continued for another point, it was still a sore point, and Zhang continued to question the decision.
As Zhang, who ranks 28th, pleaded for the decision to be reconsidered, Toth walked up to the mark on the court and rubbed it with his foot, according to the video of what happened.
Zhang was outraged by the call during Tuesday’s game in Budapest, Hungary. Xinhua/Shutterstock
Zhang can be heard questioning Toth, asking, “What are you doing?” as the Hungarian player steps back a few meters.
The video shows Zhang asking, “Why did you do that?” while Toth replies, “You’re making trouble.”
Zhang tearfully opted to withdraw from the match, where she was trailing 6-5 in the first set. Zhang then posted a video of the incident on her social media, thanking those who supported her.
CNN has reached out to Toth for comment.
Several tennis players denounced Toth’s actions, with Australian Ajla Tomljanović criticizing his actions, calling it part of “absolutely disgusting behaviour”.
“Shuai is a better person than many of us for shaking hands with the referee and that girl,” wrote Tomljanovic on Twitter.
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka tweeted that Toth’s actions went up to “another level of unsportsmanlike conduct… Just ‘wow’.”
Meanwhile, Australian Ellen Pérez critical “the level of disrespect,” adding, “Well, that’s a quick way to lose respect from your peers.”
CNN has reached out to the WTA and ITF for comment.
2023-07-19 22:55:00
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