"We are all supporting you, following you": Miyu Kato has received support from fellow pros amid default Roland Garros incident

Tuesday, 06 June 2023 at 20:00

Miyu Kato revealed that she has received support from many of her fellow professionals following the incident at the 2023 French Open.

Tennis player Miyu Kato found herself involved in controversy after being eliminated from the doubles competition alongside her partner Aldila Sutjiadi. The Japanese player accidentally hit a ball at a ball kid, which led to complaints from their opponents Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova.

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The referee decided to disqualify them, leaving Kato disconcerted. She apologized to the ball kid and expressed her remorse on social media. Kato spoke in Japanese to explain the situation at the press conference, and her words were translated by a journalist covering Roland Garros:

"She said that when she came to the site today, many players came over to her saying: 'Put your face ahead, and we are all supporting you, following you.' That is good for her. And, of course, she is here to play tennis, so for today's match she just walked on the court to play tennis, her best tennis."

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Miyu Kato is not done in France yet, as she is still competing in mixed doubles alongside German player Tim Puetz. They will face Kato's former partner, Aldila Sutjiadi, who is now teamed up with Matwé Middelkoop in the semifinals. Thus, one of the two players who were eliminated from the women's doubles will be present in the tournament final.

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Miyu Kato & Aldila Sutjiadi were disqualified from their Roland Garros doubles match Kato hit a ball boy in the chest, but wasn’t hitting the ball in anger. The ball boy was crying They were initially only given a warning, but were eventually defaulted

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12:07 PM · Jun 4, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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