Hungarian player Amarissa Toth has shocked the tennis world with a series of ‘disgusting’ acts at the clay-court Budapest Open that left her veteran opponent Zhang Shuai in tears.
Shuai, a former world No.22, retired from the event in floods of tears after her 20-year-old opponent erased a ball mark on the clay court following a disputed line call.
The Chinese player had hit a crosscourt forehand that appeared to land on the line but was called out by the line judge, leaving Shuai incensed by the decision and demanding to speak to the tournament supervisor.
Shuai argued with the umpire about the controversial line call for several minutes while she was mocked and jeered at by the crowd. Toth appeared to be laughing at the player as she became more frustrated.
The match continued for another point before the disagreement over the disputed call – which commentators also believed was wrong – continued and the tournament supervisor was brought onto the court.
But Toth walked up to the mark left by the ball that was called out and used her shoe to erase it. Shuai yelled from her side of the net, ‘Wait, wait, wait, keep the mark! What are you doing? Why would you do that?’
Zhang Shuai (pictured) was left in tears and unable to continue at the Budapest Open after a series of shocking acts from Hungarian opponent Amarissa Toth
Toth (pictured) could be seen walking towards the contested ball marking and scuffing it out with her foot before officials could take a closer look
Shuai received an outpouring of support from ex-players after a controversial end to the match
This is so heartbreaking, she called the physio and I think she just couldn’t handle the pressure and the feelings as she started crying so she retired from the match, the reaction from the crowd and especially Toth, loss for words. She didn’t deserve to be treated like this ¿ pic.twitter.com/QVzqgPO7yy
— LorenaPopa ¿¿¿¿¿¿ (@popalorena) July 18, 2023
Toth responded by saying: ‘Because you’re making problems, that’s why.’
Shuai went on to win the game, but she looked visibly stressed during the changeover.
A physio was called to check on her before the world number 28 opted to retire while trailing 6-5 in the opening set of their match in Budapest.
TV commentators explained that Shuai was crying a ‘flood of tears’, with one calling the episode a ‘panic attack’.
The 34-year-old then retired from the match, quickly shaking hands with the umpire and Toth before pointing at sections of the crowd who had booed her.
Toth immediately celebrated her highly controversial victory in the round of 32, throwing both hands into the air to the applause of her fans.
Zhang later took to social media to complain about the call and thanked those who supported her.
‘All efforts on practice was wrong, because when you wanted hitting closer to the line, even touched the line still OUT,’ Shuai wrote.
‘I love you guys and all girls who supporting me and standing (by) my side.’
Toth’s conduct during the match was slammed by fans and players as ‘shameful’ and a ‘new low for sportsmanship’.
Aussie star Ellen Perez took to social media to declare her disgust over the ordeal.
‘Well that’s a quick way to lose respect from your peers. I’m actually shook by the level of disrespect from this girl,’ Perez wrote.
‘If I see this girl tomorrow I will tell her how disgusted I am.’
Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic also rallied around Shuai, posting on Twitter: ‘Absolutely disgusting behaviour. Shuai is a better person than a lot of us for shaking the ref and that girl’s hand. But then again it’s Shuai we are talking about, of course she did’.
Aussie Daria Saville didn’t hold back, either, posting: ‘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.’
Toth’s behaviour during the match was heavily criticised by fans and players alike online
Shuai (pictured with Sam Stosur) has previously opened up about her mental health struggles
Australian doubles star Rennae Stubbs also jumped in to criticise Toth.
‘And that umpire needs to find another job ASAP! She also should be getting hammered for this,’ Stubbs wrote.
Professional tennis player Jamie Loeb also commented: ‘Wow this is one of the worst line calls and poorly handled situations I’ve seen. Awful’.
Shuai, one of the most loved and respected players in the game, has previously opened up about her mental health issues and recently broke down in tears after a loss at the French Open in May.
