‘You can’t play professional’ – Serena Williams’ conqueror receives anger of doubles partner after Wimbledon withdrawal
After defeating Serena Williams in a late night thriller, Harmony Tan has drawn criticism from Tamara Korpatsch after the Frenchwoman withdrew from their Wimbledon first round doubles match on Wednesday morning.
The world number 115 cited a thigh injury as her reason for the move following victory over Serena 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) in a match that lasted more than three hours under the Centre Court roof.
Korpatsch, who lost to home talent Heather Watson in her opening singles match, was hoping to play the doubles at a Slam for the first time in her career.
She posted on Instagram with the caption: “Unfortunately my doubles partner Harmony [withdrew] from our doubles today.
“She just texted me this morning.
“I’m very sad, disappointed and also very angry that I can’t play my first doubles Grand Slam.
“I didn’t deserve that.”
What added insult to injury for Korpatsch is that Tan was apparently the one who initiated the partnership.
Perhaps Tan was fully expecting to play just the one singles match before losing to 23-time Major champion Serena, and wanted to get another Wimbledon match in on her first appearance at the Slam.
Korpatsch added: “I didn’t ask her, she asked me!”
She finished by saying that Tan should really be capable of playing a doubles match after a singles, even if it was a late night three hour battle.
“If you’re broken after a three hour match the day before, you can’t play professional,” she said.
“That’s my opinion,” she signed off, an opinion she is more than entitled to.
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