Tennis
Wozniacki backs ATP decision
2012-06-18 16:48
Caroline Wozniacki (File)
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Eastbourne - Former WTA No 1 Caroline Wozniacki said on Monday that defaulting David Nalbandian after his angry outburst at the Queen's Club ATP final resulted in injury to a linesman was the right option.
VIDEO: David Nalbandian kicks out
"Of course it's unfortunate that it had to happen and they had to default him," said the third-seeded Dane who is tuning her pre-Wimbledon game this week at the Eastbourne event on the English south coast.
"The only thing he can do is to apologise, there's not much he can do about it afterwards.
"There's really not too much to say about it. I saw it on TV quite a few times. I'm just thinking to get something over your shin must hurt, and that looked like it really hurt."
Nalbandian's eruption came as he lost the seventh game of the second set in the final won by Marin Cilic through default. The Argentine then lashed out with a kick at the low hoarding surrounding the chair of a linesman.
The fierce blow sent a wooden board into the official's shin, with ATP supervisor Tom Barnes immediately disqualifying the South American.
Police are now investigating the incident on the basis of a complaint filed by a member of the public.
Added Wozniacki: "Under the circumstances, it was the right decision to make for the tournament director.
"I'm sure he was sorry that everything had to happen. He went up to the linesman, as well, and apologised to him."
Similar sentiments were voiced by defending champion Marion Bartoli as the joint ATP-WTA tournament got underway.
"As a tennis player you go through a lot of things mentally during the match," said the former Wimbledon finalist.
"Sometimes you have some ups and downs and you're leading and you think the match is yours and then you're losing, it's hard sometimes to handle all those bad comments that go through your mind and your negative thoughts.
"But it's (kicking) not a way to express them. That's for sure."