Former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova was in no mood to shake hands with the umpire yesterday after losing her Miami Open second-round match to Maria Sakkari.
The Times reports that “controversy abounded” in Miami when a Pliskova smash in the deciding set was wrongly called out “despite clearly landing in”.
Sakkari was awarded the point, says the BBC, after no “physical marks” could be found on the clay following the line-call review. The point happened in the final set when Pliskova was serving at 30-30 and five games all.
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This led to the Czech star losing the match against Greece’s Sakkari 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. As result, the No.6 seed decided not to shake hands with Polish umpire Marta Mrozinska before the players walked off court. Instead she bashed her racquet against the umpire’s chair “several times”, USA Today reports, leaving a gaping hole in the chair.
During the match Pliskova argued several times with the official. After her furious reaction, the Times says her coach Tomas Krupa stuck his middle finger up at live TV cameras, while her twin sister Kristyna called for Mrozinska to be “blacklisted”.
USA Today says that no punishment or fine has yet to be announced by the Women’s Tennis Association.
On social media some tennis fans think Pliskova should be suspended. Others say the umpire and line judge should face action.
We look at the reactions on Twitter:
Karolina Pliskova’s twin sister Kristyna is also a tennis player.
Pliskova “unleashes rage”.
“Four blows of her racquet.”
“This behaviour can not be tolerated.”
“Nothing justifies destroying the umpire’s chair.”
“Umpire and line judge were shockingly bad.”
