Redemption for Japan’s Kato with the French Open mixed doubles title

PARIS, June 8 (Reuters) – Japan’s Miyu Kato put her French Open women’s doubles exit behind her when she won the Roland Garros mixed doubles crown with Germany’s Tim Puetz on Thursday.

The pair defeated Canada’s Bianca Andreescu and New Zealand’s Michael Venus 4-6 6-4 (10-6) in the final on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Kato and her Indonesian partner Aldila Sutjiadi were eliminated from the women’s doubles competition in the third round earlier in the week against Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic and Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain.

Kato hit the ball on the court between the points and accidentally hit the ball girl. Referee Alexandre Juge gave Kato a warning, but Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo pointed out that the ball girl was sobbing.

After talking to the girl, the referee got back into his chair and announced Kato and Sutjiad’s disqualification, leaving the Japanese player in tears.

Kato, who later said on Twitter that she was penalized by Roland Garros and forfeited her prize money and points in the women’s doubles, received plenty of support from the players.

“It has been mentally challenging since the disqualification. I want to thank everyone for the heartfelt messages of support,” Kato said in his prepared speech after the final.

“I used all the positive energy to be here today. Thanks to Aldila and all the fans in Indonesia. I will do my best so that one day we can come back and win the women’s doubles championship.

“To Sara and Marie, Aldila and I hope we can play each other somewhere again and have a great match.

“Finally for Roland Garros, the disqualification is unfortunate. But I am waiting for a positive outcome to my appeal. So that I can receive my points and prize money.”

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), whose executive committee includes 22-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, said the decision to suspend Kato and Sutjiadi was “unreasonably disproportionate” and “unfair”.

Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Paris Editing by Toby Davis

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