Good Or Bad Idea?

The Dokic default makes Business Day's news.


Organisers call for changes after Dokic pulls out of Paris

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PARIS The cancellation of the singles and doubles finals at the 585000 Paris WTA event yesterday has led to calls for the rules on injury forfeits to be changed.
Yugoslavia's Jelena Dokic was forced to pull out of the eagerly awaited singles final against Wimbledon and US Open champion Venus Williams just two hours before she was due to go on court.

The No4 seed was suffering from a right thigh injury she picked up in her three-set semifinal win against Monica Seles on Saturday.

The situation worsened steadily for organisers yesterday as the doubles final was also cancelled as one of the players, Elena Dementieva of Russia, withdrew suffering from bronchitis and a fever. "Perhaps it is time for the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) and the ITF (International Tennis Federation) to review their rules," said Patrick Prosiy, hard-pressed organiser of the Paris tournament.

"In the case of injury to one of the finalists, perhaps the semifinalist defeated by that player can be authorised to take her place. The cancellation of both finals completely ruined the event as a spectacle."

This is thought to be the first time in the history of the women's tour that both finals in an indoor event have been called off on the same day. Dokic aggravated the injury when she returned to court later on Saturday to play in the semifinals of the doubles. Sapa-AFP.


Feb 11 2002 12:00:00:000AM Business Day 1st Edition

Monday
11 February 2002