French Open: Miyu Kato nets emotional mixed doubles title after women's doubles DQ - 'Tears of joy!'
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Updated 08/06/2023 at 14:51 GMT
It was a wonderful redemption of sorts for Miyu Kato, who was able to bow out of the 2023 French Open on a real high with the mixed doubles trophy after her emotional disqualification from the women's doubles earlier in the tournament. Kato, who accidentally hit a ball kid and was defaulted, along with her partner, experienced emotions on the other side of the spectrum on Thursday.
Emotional Kato thanks tennis world for 'support' after doubles DQ and mixed triumph
There were emotional scenes at the French Open on Thursday as Miyu Kato, who was controversially disqualified from the women's doubles, won the mixed doubles title with Tim Puetz.
Kato and her partner, Aldila Sutjiadi, were defaulted from the women's doubles at Roland-Garros on Sunday in the second set of their third-round match against Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo when Kato whacked a ball up the other end of the court after a point and accidentally hurt a ball kid.
But after suffering that emotional and heartbreaking disqualification on that day, Kato was jubilant on Thursday afternoon after she and Puetz closed out a fine 4-6 6-4 10-6 victory on a deciding set tie-break against Michael Venus and Bianca Andreescu.
It was immediately clear to everyone on Court Philippe-Chatrier how special the moment was for Kato after all she had been through over the last few days in Paris.
"What a stay in Paris she'd had," said Miles Maclagan on Eurosport commentary.
Nick Lester, alongside Maclagan, added: "There have been tears of desolation, haven't there? And now there might be some tears of joy.
"Ejected from the women's doubles after that incident a few days ago now, and maybe she'll feel a little bit of justice has been done here, who knows."
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Kato/Puetz v Andreescu/Venus - Roland-Garros highlights
Kato gave an emotional speech in which she thanked the tennis world for all the support she had received.
"To my partner Tim, I'm so glad I have you as a partner. Thank you so much for always supporting me and cheering me up.
"To my coach - thank you for always being with me when I was having a hard time."
At this point, Kato became emotional, and the crowd responded with spontaneous applause.
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'Tears of joy!' - Kato wins mixed doubles title after controversial doubles disqualification
Resuming her speech, Kato said: "lt has been really challenging mentally for me the past few days due to the unjust disqualification from the women's doubles.
"I want to thank all the players, coaches, everyone for the heartfelt messages of support.
"I was able to use all the positive energy to move forward so I could be here today.
"Thanks to my female doubles partner Aldila [Sutjiadi], her team and all the Indonesian fans.
"It is unfortunate that we were disqualified but I'm doing my best so that we can return one day and claim the women's doubles final. Hopefully, the ball girl is okay.
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'She's crying!' - Match halted after ball kid gets hit, doubles pair disqualified
"To Sara [Sorribes Tormo] and Marie [Bouzkova], my opponents in the women's doubles this week, Aldira and I hope that we can play each other again somewhere and have a great match.
"And lastly to Roland-Garros, it's unfortunate about the disqualification decision, but I'm looking for a positive outcome of my appeal so that I can receive my points and my prize money."
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