Former world No.2 launched racket in headloss days after Wimbledon | Tennis | Sport
Tennis star Paula Badosa was lucky to escape disqualification after launching her racket towards fans at the Iasi Open. The Spanish ace finished runner-up at the event but was fortunate to reach the final after previously losing her cool.
The former world No.2 has struggled with injuries and recently entered Wimbledon outside of the top 140 in the rankings before suffering a first-round exit to Emma Navarro. Despite her setback at SW19, Badosa began July by clinching the Nordea Open title and looked to extend her winning run at the WTA 250 Iasi Open. The 28-year-old battled to a three-set victory over Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek in the semi-final but risked being defaulted for her furious reaction to losing a point during the match. Footage showed Badosa conceding a point after her overhead shot during a rally hit the net. The four-time WTA title winner immediately turned back and threw her racket high at a backboard.
The racket bounced over the barrier which separated the court from spectators in elevated stands. Badosa received a warning and will have been fined after the match. As per the point penalty schedule, a second offence would have seen a point penalty and a third would have resulted in a game awarded.
However, tournament supervisors can disqualify a player for a single offence. The WTA rulebook states: “Players shall not violently, dangerously, or with anger hit, kick, or throw a racquet or other equipment within the precincts of the tournament site.
“For the purposes of this rule, abuse of racquets or equipment is defined as intentionally, dangerously, and violently hitting the net, court, umpire’s chair, or other fixture during a match out of anger.
“Violations of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to $2,500 for each violation. In addition, if such violation occurs during a match, the player shall be penalised in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule. The player also will be liable for the repair or replacement of destroyed or damaged tournament property.”
In terms of defaults, the rules explain: “The supervisor may declare a default for either a single violation of this code (immediate default) or pursuant to the Point Penalty Schedule set out in section XVII.D.3. In all cases of default, the decision of the supervisor/referee shall be final and non-appealable.”
Badosa progressed to the Iasi Open final but was unable to claim another title victory. The match against Egypt’s Mayar Sherif ended early when Badosa withdrew due to injury, down 6-4, 4-0.
“I’m always a player that’s very honest and real,” Badosa said after the final. “I have to say I hate this moment right now, I hate losing a final and I’m really sorry that I had to do it in this way but I couldn’t keep up with my body so I apologise for that also.
“But I also want to say, one month ago I was in one of the worst losing streaks of my career and one month after I made one of the best winning streaks of my career…lately we have had a little more positivity.”
Her recent return to form has seen Badosa climb to 93rd in the rankings. It remains to be seen whether the injury will prevent her from competing in the Hamburg Open, where she is scheduled to face Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa on Wednesday.
