"These courts are fit to play": ASB Classic organisers slam criticism over slippy courts from Raducanu after pre-Australian Open injury

ASB Tennis Classic organizers push back against Raducanu's slippery court comments declaring the courts as 'fit to play' after she rolled her ankle.

Raducanu rolled her ankle in her match against Viktoria Kuzmova forcing her to retire from a match that she would have most likely won. Raducanu quickly shifted blame for the injury to the event claiming the courts were very slippery and not good enough. She also added that it's not a surprise somebody got injured but which enraged the organizers.

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Tournament director Lamperin responded to New Zealand media:

"We are obviously very sorry about Emma's injury. Every player works really hard in the off-season and that's not what you expect when you play a tournament in week one. However, injuries happen all the time and it could have happened on outdoor courts as well."

He added:

We feel [sorry] about the situation but we also say these courts are fit to play. The courts have been checked and we've had a number of matches on the indoor courts. We haven't had an injury apart from yesterday."

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Lamperin concluded with:

"As far as the tournament is concerned, with the support of the referee and the supervisor, we are able to play and use this court."