Rules Are Rules

[retrocop]

A Ball Girl at the French Open was not looking when the ball was served and was accidentally hit on the neck causing her some distress. The doubles team were made to forfeit the match. Does anybody think this was an extreme judgement for a freak accident with no intent of malice and not a fit of temper?
https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/french-open-doubles-player-miyu-133701251.html

[douglas9401]

'Gallic shrug'

Health and safety gone mad etc.

[William51]

It looks like an over reaction by the authorites after what was an accident.

[youngmafbog]

Someone is always to blame these days.

[retrocop]

As usual the rules are sometimes applied inconsistently.
An earlier incident in another match the player received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct which would seem to imply a deliberate act but received no penalty.

During Coco Gauff’s 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-1 singles victory over Mirra Andreeva on Saturday, Andreev swatted a ball into the Court Suzanne Lenglen stands after dropping a point in the first set. Andreev was given a warning by the chair umpire for unsportsmanlike conduct but no further penalty.

“I heard about that. Didn’t see it,” Bouzkova said. “I guess it just depends on the circumstances and the given situation as it happens. ... It is difficult, for sure.

[Ken4155]

It wasn't even a serve, Retro. The poor lass was merely returning the ball with a sort of softish backhand. The ball-girl turned her back on the ball when she saw it heading towards her and it hit her on the shoulder.
They were only disqualified after their opponents protested - fine sportswomen that they are:-/
Ridiculous disqualification of you ask me. Wonder what would have happened had the two been French?


https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2023/jun/04/french-open-doubles-pair-disqualified-after-stray-shot-leaves-ball-girl-in-tears-video

[Ken4155]

In fact, the more i see it, the more ridiculous it gets. Almost as bad as Grealish's handball on Saturday.

[-SharonA-]

Djokovic got disqualified for doing the same thing.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/54051920