Miyu Kato and
Aldila Sutjiadi were disqualified from the tournament after Kato accidentally hit a ballgirl with a ball during their doubles match. The incident sparked controversy and criticism of
Marie Bouzková and
Sara Sorribes Tormo, who argued for the disqualification. Kato hit a one-handed backhand that unintentionally struck the ballgirl, causing her discomfort and tears. Despite Kato's immediate apology and the umpire's warning, Bouzková and Sorribes Tormo insisted on the disqualification. After a consultation with officials, Kato and Sutjiadi were defaulted, leading to emotional scenes on the court. The heavy punishment received surprise and backlash from viewers and tennis commentators. Former player
Gilles Simon criticized Bouzková and Sorribes Tormo's actions, while some suggested they should also face consequences. The incident drew widespread attention and sparked debates about sportsmanship in tennis. Kato issued an apology, expressing remorse for the unintended mishap. Belarusian player
Aryna Sabalenka skipped her third- and fourth-round mandatory press conferences, saying she "did not feel safe" answering questions about her views on the Russian invasion which had been asked by Ukrainian journalist
Daria Meshcheriakova. Unlike
Naomi Osaka two years prior, Sabalenka was not fined and was allowed to do her next interviews with just a WTA employee. During the trophy presentation,
Ivan Dodig, a four-time Roland Garros champion, expressed his disappointment with the French Open organizers, stating that he was not treated like every athlete should be. Dodig claimed that he had traveled by taxi for 15 days, often experiencing delays and feeling like a tourist in Paris. He emphasized the importance of treating all players equally in order to maintain fair competition. In response to Dodig's criticism, tournament director
Amelie Mauresmo considered his language "unacceptable" and sought to clarify the situation. Mauresmo pointed out that there were numerous hotels within a three-mile radius of the venue and that any player could book transportation within a five-kilometer range. She mentioned that Dodig had chosen a hotel in a different part of Paris, far from the tournament site, but alternative options were offered to him. However, Mauresmo explained that the organizers aimed to prioritize environmental sustainability and had limited resources, including a conscious approach to transportation. ==References==