A junior Italian tennis player was controversially disqualified from the opening round of the Australian Open for hitting a ball kid.
Seventeen-year-old Maria Vittoria Viviani was sent packing from Melbourne Park in tears after she was automatically disqualified for hitting a ball kid with a ball after losing the opening set.
More Sports HQ Videos
- Video duration
- 00:40
Viviani disqualified for hitting a ball ...
Viviani disqualified for hitting a ball kid
Junior tennis player Maria Vittoria Viviani is disqualified from the Australian Open for striking a ball after losing a point and hitting a ball kid.
Up Next
Patriots crush Steelers, advance to Super Bowl
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Patriots crush Steelers, advance to Super ...
Patriots crush Steelers, advance to Super Bowl
The New England Patriots have set up a Super Bowl showdown with the Atlanta Falcons, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 in the AFC Championship game.
Up Next
Falcons stomp Packers to reach Super Bowl
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Falcons stomp Packers to reach Super Bowl
Falcons stomp Packers to reach Super Bowl
The Atlanta Falcons have booked a berth in Super Bowl LI with a 44-21 demolition of the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game.
Up Next
Late drama sees Arsenal claim the points
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Late drama sees Arsenal claim the points
Late drama sees Arsenal claim the points
A 98th minute penalty from Alexis Sanchez enough to give Arsenal the win
Up Next
Champions Leicester in trouble
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Champions Leicester in trouble
Champions Leicester in trouble
Southampton dominated from start to finish against Leicester City at St Mary's, where a 3-0 victory ended their four game losing streak.
Up Next
Chelsea go eight points clear
- Video duration
- 01:24
- Video duration
- 01:24
Chelsea go eight points clear
Chelsea go eight points clear
Diego Costa scores on his return to the starting team
Up Next
San Antonio make statement at Cleveland
- Video duration
- 01:29
- Video duration
- 01:29
San Antonio make statement at Cleveland
San Antonio make statement at Cleveland
41 points from Kawhi Leonard have helped San Antonio defeat Cleveland on their home court with Aussie Patty Mills adding 13.
Viviani disqualified for hitting a ball kid
Junior tennis player Maria Vittoria Viviani is disqualified from the Australian Open for striking a ball after losing a point and hitting a ball kid.
Italian journalists described the force as minimal, however Viviani still managed to strike the ball kid in the chest and was harshly punished for her actions.
The teenager immediately apologised to the ball kid, raising her hand in the air with remorse for her minor outburst.
Related Content
However the umpire wasn't tolerant of the behaviour and disqualified the Italian from the tournament after losing the opening set 6-2 to Chinese opponent Xin Yu Wang.
On the same day, Japan's Kei Nishikori softly swatted a ball away and made contact with a ball kid during his fourth round clash against Roger Federer - however he went unsanctioned for the accidental contact.
Maria Vittoria Viviani was defaulted in her R1 junior match for this... pic.twitter.com/6HnUeuBDK6
— Graham (@juki_tennis) January 22, 2017
Disqualified: Maria Vittoria Viviani Photo: Instagram
Viviani isn't the first Italian tennis player to be disqualified in Australia, with Stefano Pescosolido booted out of the Sydney International in 1992 after throwing his racquet, which bounced off the court and hit a spectator in the stands.
Viviani's heartbreak evoked memories of John McEnroe being disqualified at Melbourne Park in 1990 - 27 years and one day ago.
31 comments
New User? Sign up