An incident emerged on Tuesday evening of
Shuai Zhang being robbed of a mark at 5-5 by the umpire in a clash with a local player and then retiring next game with a panic attack after being ignored and booed.
Amarissa Toth celebrated as the Chinese ace went off having had a panic attack which coined heavy criticism with fellow players rallying behind Zhang who as recently as Wimbledon has described heavy issues with mental health in recent months.
"After my grandparents passed away, I started thinking about the meaning of life. I am 34. I've played tennis for 29 years. I've tried all my best, but everyone has a limit. I feel deeply tired, especially mentally. I miss Chinese food in China," she said two weeks ago at Wimbledon.
Among them was Aussie duo
Ajla Tomljanovic and
Daria Saville.
“Absolutely disgusting behavior,” tweeted Tomljanovic. “Shuai is a better person than a lot of us for shaking the ref and that girl's hand.”
"Zero respect for this Toth girl," said Saville in a damning verdict. "ZERO!!!! I am so so mad, I feel so bad for Shuai."
Caroline Garcia, the current World No.5 also chimed in with support for Zhang's character after she tweeted the video thanking people for standing by her side.
"We all know what kind (of) girl you are @zhangshuai121
Take care of yourself," said Garcia.
Alize Cornet too shared disappointment at the celebration amid Zhang going through turmoil both on and off the court in recent months.
A mark of the character of Zhang and also for Toth, not the best way of endearing herself to other members of the WTA Tour.